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autisticshadowthehedgehog · 3 months ago

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A Cluster of Burning Stars - Chapter Eleven

in which Amy listens

{ao3} {tumblr}

tw: period-typical sexism in flashback form

---

The guest room was very nice, quiet, and spacious. Which meant Amy couldn’t sleep at all.

Vanilla told her she could go ahead and go downstairs and read their books if she felt bored, even showed her how to turn on the television. But there was just so much downstairs, Amy didn’t want to accidentally do anything wrong and upset the people who’d been so kind to her. She’d already let them pay for her clothes– she’d completely forgotten about “money” until Vanilla was already putting rings on the counter, and she had later insisted that Amy didn’t have to do anything to pay her back. “Just sit tight and recover while we send the word out about your friends,” she said.

Amy didn’t get it. Were the rabbits really as bored as Cream had implied, or was there something else they wanted? It didn’t feel right, having just so much attention on her without any expectations back. They didn’t know anything about her, and yet they were going to go out of their way to give her clothes and track down her friends? It didn’t make sense, but she couldn’t think of any other motive they could have. Nobody knew about the ARK Projects, and they’d seemed genuinely confused when she brought it up, so it wasn’t a power grab, was it? Maybe it was just because the chao had liked her, and they just did whatever the chao wanted. God, she hoped the chao didn’t decide they hated her any time soon.

She curled up on the too-large bed, staring at the mauve wall as the seconds ticked by. She reached up to her face to check if she was still crying– and, yep, she was. She was so stupid. Shadow wouldn’t be crying. Shadow would already be outside trying to find her. And yet the planet was so big, and Vanilla had said they were on an island. How was she supposed to get off without help? And yet, how was she supposed to just accept it? She was just supposed to accept new food and new clothes and a room of her own? And accept that she’d have to wait to do anything else? She wasn’t good at waiting.

Right now, she was wearing a borrowed shirt, which somehow felt stranger than wearing a new outfit that had been bought for her. While they’d grabbed her outfits, Vanilla had realized once they got home they’d never gotten any pajamas. Amy had assured her that she’d never worn pajamas, but she had brought her upstairs and pulled an old, oversized shirt from a drawer.

“It was my husband’s,” she said, handing it to Amy. “It’ll be a bit big, but on you it can function as a nightgown.”

“Will he mind?” she’d asked cautiously.

Vanilla smiled ruefully. “I’m afraid he passed on when Cream was a toddler.”

“I– I’m sorry–”

“Don’t worry, dear. Just get a good night’s sleep.”

Her door creaked open, and she quickly wiped her eyes on the sleeve; she sat up, and saw Cream in the doorway, looking up at her with her big, brown eyes. Cheese hovered a little behind her, his wings flap flap flapping lightly.

“H-hi.” Amy sniffled, hoping it wasn’t obvious what she’d been doing. “Are you alright?”

Cream nodded quietly. “I can’t sleep.”

“Uh, me neither, I guess?” Amy shrugged. She slid out of the bed, walking over to the rabbit and kneeling in front of her. “What do you normally do to go to sleep?”

“My mother has a CD of chao songs,” she said, “But it’s already over and I’m still awake. What do you do when you can’t sleep?”

“I usually don’t have that problem.” Amy admitted. “Usually I’m doing a lot of tests all day, and then when I get back to my room my array is there to make me feel safe enough to sleep.”

“Why do you call them ‘a ray’?” Cream asked, tilting her head to the side.

“It’s what a group of hedgehogs is called, isn’t it?”

“I’ve never heard that, but we also don’t have a lot of hedgehogs around here.” the rabbit hesitated, and then asked, “Do you have bad dreams?”

Amy thought of the blood on her dress. “I probably will tonight.”

“Mother stays with me when I have bad dreams, so she can tell them to go away and let me sleep better. Do you want me to stay with you?”

Amy shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”

Cream shuffled her feet. “Then… can you stay with me? Keep the bad dreams out of my room?”

Overcome with a sudden burst of… something? Protectiveness? Amy reached over and grabbed the young bunny’s hands. “Of course I’ll keep the bad dreams away from you.”

“Good! Come on in my room. I can show you where Cheese and I keep our toys and our books and our music and everything.”

She pulled on Amy’s hand, and the girl followed. They went just down the hall, where Cream pushed open her door and immediately began pointing around. “That’s where my dolls live. I can show you all of them.” She batted at a hanging plush pet bed. “This is where Cheese sleeps. Sometimes. They like to sleep on my pillow most of the time. These are my books. Do you want to read something? I can read something to you if you want. You know how to read, right? People could read fifty years ago, right?”

Amy blinked, and then laughed nervously. “Um, yes. I can read.”

“Okay, good! Can you see in color?”

“You have a lot of questions.”

“Mother says it’s good to be curious!”

“She’s right.” Amy said sadly. The Professor used to say that, too. She began to carefully step over the rug, before stopping at a little plush elephant. “What’s this?”

“Oh! That’s Lumpy.” Cream picked up the toy, hugging him tight. “He’s very soft. Here, you try.” She handed him to her new friend, before running to a little table and chairs in the corner. “I have tea parties over here, but it’s usually just me and Cheese and Chocola and Mother. There aren’t really any kids my age around, and they all work on their own farms. Sometimes my toys sit with me. Do you want to sit with me? I’m not allowed to make actual tea yet but I can put water in the cups and we can pretend.”

Amy opened her mouth to answer, but Cream just kept going, rushing over to her dresser and showing her the contents of each of the drawers. So Amy just smiled slightly and listened, nodding along and running her hands over the soft plush that the girl had given her. He was soft.

“And that’s the window!” Cream ran across the room, jumping on a soft cushion and pointing at the glass.

She raised a brow at the crack in the center. “You sleep with the window open?”

“Only when it’s warm. If it’s snowing or raining then I get cold or wet. But when it’s warm, air comes in, and we can hear the flickies in the trees.”

Amy’s eyes widened, and she rushed to the window, kneeling down to get close to Cream’s eye-level as she searched the darkened skies. “There’s flickies outside?”

“Mm-hmm! They like to nest in our trees in the Spring. It’s Summer now but some of them still hang out until Winter. Have you ever seen a flicky?” Amy shook her head, eyes wide. “Oh, well I can help with that. Hold on a second. Cheese, can you get–”

“Chao!” Cheese nodded, and flew over to the nightstand. They pulled open a drawer and started to sift through, pretty much crawling their entire body inside.

“What are your friends like?” Cream asked, leaning against the windowsill.

Amy had been watching Cheese, but she jumped at the question. “My friends? Oh!” She turned, smiling at the little girl’s smile. “They’re amazing. Shadow might seem grumpy at first, but he’s really just protective. He’s a sweetie deep down, and he’s always trying to help us be our best. And Sonic’s so much fun! He hates to see people upset, so he always tries to brighten your day. They don’t like clothes and art as much as I do, but me and Shadow have so much fun sparring together, and reading fairytales and making up our own. He likes nonfiction more but he still helps me with my stories, which is very nice of him. Sonic and I…” she hesitated.

“What?”

“Nothing. It’s just… we hadn’t been just the two of us for a while. I’m afraid that may have been my fault. I was a little…” she waved her hand. “Pushy. And then after the–” She cut herself off, biting her lip, and shook her head. “Well, there were a few weeks where Shadow wouldn’t let him out of his sight. But then we were finally hanging out, watching the Earth, right before…” she shut her eyes, then shook her head. “He really wanted to see the planet. I know he’s going to love it here.”

“Do they look like you?”

“Kinda. We mostly have comparative skillsets. We’re really similar, but different in our own ways. Like, I have my hammer–”

“Hammer?” Cream asked.

Amy didn’t notice her interruption. “–but Shadow is able to teleport way easier than us, and he’s got his chaos spears. And Sonic can go super fast. He just runs and runs and it’s really amazing to see. He doesn’t think it’s cool, but it really is. Shadow and I wish we could go that fast sometimes.”

Cheese flew back, with two strange items in their hands– one was a can, the other Amy didn’t recognize. “Thank you, Cheese!” Cream beamed, before grabbing the strange item and blowing into it. It made a light, cheerful sound, before she placed it on the ground and opened the window farther. After a minute or so, Amy gasped and stumbled backwards as a light blue flicky landed on the windowsill, pecking down at it. Cream took the cannister from Cheese, poured a few seeds into her hand, and spread them out on the sill for the bird to peck at. She turned, smiling at Amy. “You can come closer. They’re very brave.”

Amy just kept staring. After a second, Cream took her hand, leading her a bit closer, and then spreading out her palm and pouring some seeds into it. She held out Amy’s hand towards the window, where the bird had finished pecking up the first round. It glanced into the sky, and then over to Amy, its eyes meeting hers. She gasped again, and after a moment, it fluttered into the room, landing on her hand and eating the seeds from it.

“Isn’t she pretty?” Cream whispered. Then, after a second, “Oh, I’m sorry, Ms Amy. Did I make you sad?”

She hadn’t even noticed the tears streaming down her face. She shook her head, just staring down at the flicky until it gave her a grateful little chirp and flew back out the window.

Cream closed the doors again, before running over to hug Amy. “You did a great job, Ms Amy! Usually more flickies follow the whistle sound, they must all be asleep. We can try again tomorrow.”

“We can?”

“Yeah! Do you want a tissue?”

Amy stared at the little rabbit for a good few seconds, wondering if this little girl was even afraid of bad dreams at all. Then, quietly, she said, “How about that tea party?”

“Yes!” Amy cheered, before dragging her by the hand over to the table. “Here, we have to get fancy.” She reached into a small basket, pulling out a clump of flowers and sticking them in a toy cup in the center of the table. “There we go.”

“Oh, do you have ribbon? I can tie a bow.”

“You can?” Cream bounced on her heels with excitement, before Cheese carried over a ribbon from the desk.

Amy grinned at her, and began to tie it around the bouquet. “There. Now we can be all fancy.”

---

“It’s over, around,” Maria muttered, her hands swinging around the white ribbon as she spoke, “And through. Then you make the little bunny ears, tie it like this, and… there ya go!”

With a flourish, she finished tying the lopsided bow, and picked up Amy, spinning around the stool so that the hedgehog could see herself in the desk mirror. Amy squealed with delight, kicking her little legs midair. “Maria! I love it I love it I love it I love it!”

“Slow down! I’m gonna drop you!” Maria laughed, swiveling herself to the side and lowering Amy back to the ground.

Once Maria’s hands released, Amy immediately scrambled across the room, making a beeline for the bottom bunk, where Shadow was picking through Sonic’s quills, muttering something about how he should look where he was going. Amy leapt up onto the bunk with one powerful leap, and tackled both boys down, landing on top of them and giggling.

“Look! What do you think? Do you like it?”

Sonic groaned, saying, “Amy! A little warning next time, yeah?”

Shadow recovered quicker, sitting up as much as he could with half of Amy’s weight across his chest. “It looks lovely, Amy.”

Amy squealed and tackled Shadow again, hugging him extremely tightly, and accidentally kicking Sonic in the face as she did.

“Ow! Ames!”

“Oop, sorry.”

“Boots off my face! Get your boots off my face!”

Maria giggled, before turning back to her desk and pulling out her journal, flipping to the nearest blank page as the hedgehogs sorted themselves out. Eventually, Amy ended up on top of the boys again, with them both on their stomachs, putting them in some kind of pyramid position. She laughed and flopped over, laying her head on Sonic’s quills.

“Don’t do that, Amy.” Shadow said, noticing her out of the corner of his eye. “Idiot ran straight into a stock of oil cans.”

“Wasn’t my fault they moved them from the closet to the middle of the hall! Besides, they already made me take a bath.” he growled.

“Yeah, and you screamed and kicked so much I’m surprised any soap even touched you. You can’t be normal for five minutes, can you?”

“Thirty seconds is my limit.”

“You don’t smell like oil,” Amy said, laying her arm across Shadow’s back as she continued to nuzzle up against Sonic. “You smell like Nurse Haven, actually.”

“Well, her shampoo was the nearest.” Sonic said. “Apparently it’s ‘citrus’ flavor.”

“Citrus scented.” Shadow corrected. “You’re not supposed to eat it.”

“Huh, someone should’ve told me that two hours ago.”

“Sonic!” Sonic laughed, which made Amy laugh, which eventually got Shadow to smile and roll his eyes. “You’re incorrigible.”

“And I still don’t know what that means.”

“It means you’re funny and smart and cool.” Amy sighed. “Do you want a hairbow, too?”

“No thanks. I don’t like stuff in my quills.”

Shadow snorted. “Unless it’s oil.”

“Okay, pack it up, Shads, enough about my little trip in the hallway.”

“Naw, I’m gonna bother you about this for weeks.” Shadow put his hand under his chin, propping up his head with an elbow.

“Be nice to my Sonic!” Amy chided.

“Hmm. No.”

Amy play-growled and shifted her body, tackling Shadow this time and pushing him against the comforter before reaching down to tickle his sides.

“Amy! No! Amy– ha, no! Ha, stop it!”

Sonic took the opportunity to sit up, grabbing one of his pillows and hugging it to his chest as he watched Shadow finally push the youngest hedgehog off. She laughed, adjusted her bow– which was already starting to sag– and then went back to lean on Sonic’s shoulder.

“Why were you even running in the halls anyway?” Shadow asked, sitting up and stretching out his arms.

“Gets me places faster.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be chaperoned?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be fun?”

“That was never in my job description.”

“Did you have any tests today?” Amy asked, eyes full of wonder.

“They tried to get me to teleport like Shadow does. Even handed me the stupid emerald.” Sonic laughed. “Didn’t work. Of course that’s my fault, despite me saying it wouldn’t work from minute one.”

“That is your problem, then.” Shadow said, scooting closer to the other hedgehogs. “You don’t believe it’ll work, and so it doesn’t. Chaos Energy builds from thought and intention.”

“Guess you’d be the expert.”

Amy didn’t want them to keep arguing, so she interrupted, “I just had more combat drills today. Boring.”

“You’re not going to do it if you don’t ever let yourself.” Shadow spoke over her head, glaring at Sonic. “You’re the only thing holding yourself back.”

“Excuse you,” Sonic snapped. “I never hold back. You’ve just been doing it so long you forgot it wasn’t easy for everyone else. Same with those spears.”

“What, can you not do the chaos spears, either?”

“Nobody just does the chaos spears, Shadow, you’re just a weirdo.”

Shadow bristled. “Says the blue hog who can’t spell to save his life.”

“Oh, we’re gonna go there?”

“Okay, time out.” Maria sighed, pulling away from her journal and making a t with her hands. “Sonic, Shadow’s only trying to help. Shadow, Sonic’s doing his best. Neither of you are trying to insult each other, but that’s how it’s coming across, so I’m going to need you to sit down and breathe for a second.”

Amy watched as, slowly, the boys did back down, glaring down at the bedspread and settling themselves. How was Maria so good at that?

“Anything anyone wants to say?” Maria continued.

Shadow sighed. “I’m sorry. Maybe I can ask to help with your chaos emerald trials. Maybe when I’m in the room, I can see what you’re doing wrong and what I’m… underestimating.”

Sonic crossed his arms, still looking a bit upset. Amy flopped her head onto his shoulder, and said, “Oh, that sounds like fun! Maybe I’ll go, too! To cheer my darling Sonic on!”

Shadow looked confused. “Cheer him on? How will that help?”

“Make him feel like he can do it! Cause he can. My Sonic can do anything!” Amy leaned farther on him, nearly knocking him over.

“Amy! Let go!” he muttered.

“Nope! I love you too much!”

She tried to give him a kiss on the cheek. Sonic dodged, let out an audible groan, before shouting, “Mariaaaaaa! Amy’s being weird again!”

Maria giggled, turning right back to her desk. “You’ll get it one day, Sonic.”

“Why do you keep saying that?”

Shadow laughed and leaned against the bedpost, just watching the two bicker for a little while.

---

Vanilla sat up on her knees, watching as Amy yanked another stem out of the ground. “No, dear, you need to go for the roots.”

The hedgehog had insisted she at least help with gardening, and Vanilla got the sense that she didn’t want to be alone this morning, so she brought her out to help her weed the vegetable patch. Unfortunately, they didn’t have “weeds” up in her greenhouse, so she wasn’t very knowledgeable about it.

“Sorry.”

“It’s alright. It took Cream a while, too.” Vanilla placed her hands over Amy’s, moving them to a weed and pushing them into the dirt. “You have to dig in deep. If you don’t get the roots out, it’ll just grow back.” Amy nodded, an intense expression behind her eyes as she reached down, trying to yank up the weeds in the way she was asked.

“Mother!” Vanilla looked over as Cream raced out from the back door, Cheese flying right behind her shoulder. “Ms Liberty is here to see you.”

“Oh, good.” Vanilla stood up, brushing her hands on her skirt. “Cream, dear, can you help Amy weed the garden? Make sure you don’t dig up any carrots in the meantime.”

“Of course, mother!”

Vanilla gave a wave to the group, stopped over at the potatoes to make sure Chocola wasn’t suffering too much with their own weed-pulling attempts, and then made her way into the house. Liberty was waiting in the kitchen, and Vanilla smiled to see that Cream had already poured her a cup of tea before coming to get her. The teal sheep was looking out the back window, smiling a little as she watched the world outside, her hand wrapped around a steaming cup handle.

“Good morning, Liberty.” Vanilla greeted. “How’re the kids today?”

Liberty smiled back at her, before sliding the teacup onto the counter. “Oh, they’re a handful. Like always.”

“Don’t I know it. Did you find anything on Amy’s friends?”

Vanilla hadn’t wanted to spill all of Amy’s backstory on the people in her town. Firstly, because it was a bit hard to believe as well as explain, and second because she didn’t want to disclose private matters to the girl that wouldn’t be necessary towards finding the people she knew. And, well… despite her assurances to Amy, she did want to play it safe, just in case anyone untoward was still looking for her. So it had been “she was in a cryo pod, her two friends were in similar pods, here’s the descriptions she gave.” That seemed to have been enough for everyone, and so she’d asked for help from anyone who had decent internet connectivity and easy messenger capabilities.

The ewe hesitated. “Have you been… watching the news lately?”

Confused, she shook her head. “We try not to turn the TV on very often.”

“Right… well, um…” Liberty reached back into her fluff, pulling out her phone and beginning to flip through her photo collection. Eventually, she gestured for Vanilla to stand near her as she played a video clip.

Vanilla instantly felt her stomach drop, as she saw a portion of a news report, the words “MYSTERIOUS MUSEUM ROBBERY IN STATION SQUARE” scrolling across the bottom of the screen. The darkly-lit scene, upon her eyes adjusting to it, showed a pile of debris in the center of a street, with a shadowed hedgehog-like figure standing atop it, holding a shining green gem.

“Is, um…” Liberty said awkwardly. “Faolan saw this earlier in the morning. Is that… who she’s looking for?”

“It… sure matches her description of Shadow.” Vanilla said slowly. “Station Square… that’s United Federation, right?”

“Yeah.”

“So that’s–”

“Only an hour or two by boat? Yeah.”

Vanilla stared down at the phone again, even as the clip ended on a blurred freeze-frame. After a second, she said, “Do they have any news on what he was doing, what he wanted–”

“Nothing. Showed up, stole the chaos emerald, left.”

“And that was last night?” she took a deep breath, leaning against the counter. “Okay. I know Amy came from… some kind of battleground. It makes sense that her friends may be in fight-or-flight. But fight-or-flight to the point of robbing a museum is a bit much.”

Liberty hesitantly glanced for the window again. “Are you sure she’s…?”

“The chao were not only protecting her, they were over the moon excited to see her. I don’t think there’s any way that she’s dangerous. And in talking to her… Liberty, this girl is so hurt that I don’t think she even understands how to even start getting better. You know what Kira says about trauma–”

“Some people lash out, some people shut in.” Liberty nodded. Both of the women had lost family members in the badnik attack a few years back, and the town therapist had ended up becoming a close friend to pretty much everyone.

“Who found this video again?”

“Faolan.”

“Okay. Ask him to see what else he can find. I’ll… now would probably not be a good time to tell her, but we can’t just keep it from her forever. We need more information, though, before we tell her that her friend’s committing crimes on live TV… do you think they look similar enough that people in town might think it’s her?”

“His quills are too long, I think. Should I send Kira to talk to her?”

“I thought they were out of town?”

“Yes, but if it’s an emergency, I’m sure they’ll at least call.”

“No… we’ll have them come over when they’re back. I’ll handle it for a few days on my own. Thanks for keeping me updated.”

Liberty fiddled with her hands for a moment, and then said, “He took a chaos emerald. You don’t think he’s working with…?”

Vanilla really didn’t want to think about that possibility. She told herself that Amy had her own chaos emerald, they probably had reasons separate from the Doctor to collect those things. Though, she hadn’t mentioned Amy’s emerald to anyone else, not wanting to cause any sort of unnecessary alarm. So, carefully, she just said, “We’ll have to be careful. And remember they’re just kids.”

A sudden crash, and several surprised (but seemingly unafraid) shouts came from outside. Vanilla was at the door in a flash, Liberty at her heels, before the two of them stared out at a towering clump of sunflowers, bursting from the center of the garden.

“Oh! Where’d you find sunflower seeds that grow that high?” Liberty asked, scanning for whatever the commotion must have come from.

Vanilla took a sideways glance at the gold-sparkling energy around the flowers, and said, “I better get back to gardening. Say hi to the missus for me, yeah?”

One Liberty had left, Vanilla went over to the flowers and pushed aside several stalks, finding Amy, Cream and the chao sitting in the middle, holding up the chaos emerald and giggling.

“Right,” Vanilla said, as they laughed harder, “I’m gonna put a veto on using the magic god-rock for gardening.”

---

There had been one night, where Sonic and Shadow were having another argument– it was how they bonded, Amy assumed– but she hadn’t been able to get a word in edgewise in the last several minutes. So she wandered out of the dining hall, quietly treading from bend to bend, looking for something interesting to do. None of the passing scientists looked at her twice, though Amy knew she was supposed to be chaperoned. It wasn’t as if she’d ever gotten into anything she wasn’t supposed to, after all. She had a better reputation than the boys in that regard.

She peeked into the hospital room Maria was sleeping in, but there were so many doctors moving about, she didn’t feel comfortable coming in without disturbing anything, so she kept going. Eventually, she stopped seeing people going down the halls, and started to think she might be on her way towards the combat testing rooms. She could at least go through a few runs before someone made her go to bed, maybe up her statistics from the week.

She eventually saw a slight flash from one of the keypads by a closed door. She recognized that blinking; it meant the room was occupied, but locked. She went over to the light, staring up at it for a few moments, before sitting against the metal door and pressing her ear against it.

Most of the ARK didn’t know how good Amy was at listening. When she was around people, she was always so loud, energetic, and direct, that nobody thought she would be able to sneak around, or keep anything to herself. She kept a lot of things to herself, as a matter of fact. One of those things was that while the doors were supposed to be soundproof, they’d never managed to evade the mobians’ sharper ears. They also didn’t know just how easy it was for her to climb up into the vents, and how she figured out how to muffle the sounds of her crawling around. How easy it was to slip in-and-out of rooms that were supposed to be locked down. The guards got a little sloppy when rooms were supposed to be inaccessible, and once you were inside, you could really see whatever you wanted.

Right now, she heard a group of muffled, somewhat frustrated voices bouncing off of each other. She recognized many voices of the higher-up scientists, and pressed herself harder against the door with renewed interest.

She froze up when she heard the Professor’s voice.

Professor Gerald Robotnik had a recognizable way of speaking, and in the way he worded his sentence, she could almost see him pacing a few steps as he talked, waving an arm as he was half-lost in thought. He was probably close to getting so into the topic that he was going to run into a table or shelf; he’d get so focused sometimes, it was like the rest of the world didn’t matter.

“–at risk of being shut down,” he was saying. “They want to see results. But if we lose Shadow, we lose everything. His blood is the closest to regenerative that we’ve been able to get in all the years we’ve been here. If they take him, we have to start from scratch in those regards.”

Take him? Amy reached down to grip her skirt.

“They won’t just take him.”

“It’s a legitimate possibility. They’ll immediately want his skills in the field, and we need him at least until we can find a cure for… but the problem is, we can’t show them Sonic.”

“Why not?”

Someone threw out, “They may not be entirely impressed.”

“‘May not.’” another man scoffed. “They’ll ask why we’re turning our testing facilities into a racetrack.”

“Yes, that is exactly the issue.” the Professor said, a little too quickly. “We need to show them something worth their time, and something we can afford they take an interest in.”

“I know she’s our best combatant,” another scientist muttered, “But you know how they are. They’ll take one look at her and never accept her as a warrior.”

“Looks can be deceiving. Surely they can appreciate that?”

“You really wanna push Minnie fucking Mouse in front of them and expect them to take it seriously?” scoffed another. “It’s never gonna work. You put a girl as our showcase, and we’ve already lost the ARK. Just suck it up and let Shadow do his thing.”

“We will not lose Shadow. And do you think Sonic could handle GUN ambassadors?”

“Honestly,” one of the men said, “He would probably immediately backtalk them and get his ass handed to him.”

“The girl’s obedient,” someone else added. “They might like that better.”

“Plus,” someone else nodded, “You remember how we all felt when we saw that hammer for the first time. If anything will impress them, it’s that.”

Amy heard more footsteps coming down the hall, and quickly scrambled to her feet, positioning herself so it looked like she was just walking towards the combat center. She glanced over her shoulder, seeing Abe writing on a notepad, muttering something to himself. She almost called for him, then thought better of getting so loud outside of an important meeting, so she simply waved and waited until he slid to a stop beside her.

“What is it?” he asked, still looking down at the pad.

“I’m bored. What are you doing?”

“School stuff. It’s stupid.”

“Can I see?”

“No.”

“Oh.” Abe started to walk away, and Amy kept running at his heels. “Maybe I can help with something?”

“How are you at math?”

“I’m great at math!”

“Pfft. Right.”

“No, really! I have to know a lot of angles and frequencies when it comes to launching projectiles. Lemme see! I bet I can help, honest!”

Abe sighed. “You’re not gonna leave me alone until I let you, huh?”

“Nope!”

Against his better judgement, he cracked a smile at that. “You’re so weird. Who wants to do homework?”

“Meeeeee! Me me me me me me!”

“Alright, alright.” he patted her on the head. “There’s an office down this way. You better not be lying about this, cause I’m not gonna deal with teaching you and myself how fractions work.”

“I don’t lie.” Amy giggled.

It was true, she didn’t. She just didn’t always say the whole truth. Not in that case, of course– she could do fractions no problem. She just didn’t also say that the conversation behind that door had made her feel very weird inside, and she wanted any excuse to get away from it. No, it was better if she just spent time with a friend, and forgot everything else.

It was easier that way.

---

As Vanilla put Cream to bed, her daughter asked, “Can Ms Amy stay forever?”

Vanilla looked up from the nightstand, where she was flipping on the soft lamp. After the women had finished weeding, they’d stopped in the chao garden, where the creatures had surrounded and cheered on Amy excitedly, before showing her to the lake. Cream and Amy had splashed around in it for some time with the chao, and it seemed to have cheered up the poor girl quite a bit.

It took her a second to think of a response. “Well, I don’t know if that’s what Amy would want.”

“Of course she does. We’re having so much fun!”

“Yes, but life is about more than fun. She’s going to need to find her friends, and her place in the world.”

“Her friends can come, too. Their place can be here.”

There was really nothing like the mind of a child. Vanilla smiled and gave her daughter a side-hug. “Oh, baby girl.” She kissed her forehead, causing her to let out a stream of giggles. “We will always have a place for Amy here if she wants one. We’ll never let her feel alone again. But that doesn’t mean it would be best for her to never leave and never discover things on her own. You heard her; this is the first time she’s seen grass. We shouldn’t stop her from experiencing all the world has to offer.”

“I guess that makes sense. Can I go with her, then?”

Vanilla laughed very hard as she pulled away, glancing at Cheese, who was already curled up, asleep at the foot of her daughter’s bed. “You two sure are enjoying each other’s company, aren’t you?”

“Mm-hmm.” Cream smiled, snuggling in under her quilt.

“Well, maybe when the world’s a little safer, we can all go somewhere together, yeah?”

“Okay. Thank you, mother. Have a good night.”

“You too, angel.” Vanilla gave her another kiss on the forehead, before finally standing. She turned on her daughter’s CD player, and then turned off the big light before heading into the hall.

As she carefully closed the door, Vanilla turned and nearly jumped out of her skin. “Oh!” she said, as she recognized the shape of their guest standing in the shadows of the hallway. “I’m sorry, you just startled me. Do you need something, dear?”

Amy didn’t respond. Vanilla’s eyes adjusted to the low light of the hall, and realized Amy’s face was red and blotchy, and still wet. Instead of answering, Amy pulled Vanilla into a deep, tight, hug. Vanilla swiftly hugged her back, whispering that it was going to be okay, and Amy stayed there for a very long time.

---

“Shadow?”

The bat flapped down from the ceiling, her head cocked to the side. Shadow was still at the window, staring down at the planet below.

“Hey. We got a read on the last chaos emerald.” She held up her chaos tracker, and smirked. “Wanna see Floral Forest?”

---

{ao3} {tumblr}

and before anyone asks: no, Liberty isn't a real character. I went to IDW #18 and picked a random background character, gave her the name of a shade of blue, and went on with my life

Anyway next chapter I've been re-editing for days bc I'm never satisfied

#sonic the hedgehog #sth #sonic fanfiction #amy rose #a cluster of burning stars #mine #connie writes

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annisthree · 3 years ago

Text

Chapter V: The two sisters

previous chapter // series masterlist // next chapter

Pairing: Cassian Andor x Original Female Character

Word Count: ~5k

Warnings: Explicit language, canon typical violence, mentions of death, mentions of violence, mentions of homicide, mutual pining, alcohol, jealousy, spoilers for Andor episode 1

Chapter summary: Cassian and Marla begin an undercover mission to help the rebels liberate their home planet.

A/N: Cross-posted on AO3 (same username)

A/N:

Sorry it took a bit longer; I had a bit of an existential crisis yesterday and needed to sleep on it.

I guess there are minor spoilers to the first episode of the new series, although, to be honest, this had been part of my headcanon for years.

'Well, I'll be damned. How come pilots don't get such fancy outfits?'

It's been a couple of days since they agreed on the plan to have Marla and Cassian infiltrate the governor's close circles by posing as his sister-in-law and her entourage. In the meantime, they were delivered some supplies from the governor's wife: a datapad full of information on their family and a crate full of clothes and accessories to help make Marla look the part. While waiting for the day Ethre's "sister" was scheduled to arrive, they spent most of their time with the insurgent group they'd met last week; the Rebellion supplied some guns and equipment, but now someone had to make sure that a group of farmers and working-class townsfolk knew how to point a blaster. Luckily, they were eager to learn, and most were already physically fit enough to handle military training.

'Come on, Marla, we need to leave for the city soon. And we still need to rehearse your... oh.'

Marla never really got to dress nicely . There was no reason for her to do that, and there weren't exactly too many formal galas on Yavin IV. And so, when she opened the crate of clothes she received from Ethre, she had to work really hard to hide her absolute, unlimited awe. All the beautiful materials she couldn't even name, all the colours, shapes... it was just so different from what she was used to. She didn't want to look too eager, not wanting the rest of her crew to think she had suddenly gone soft, but inside she was squealing like a little girl who had just gotten into her mom's wardrobe.

She picked out a long, grey dress that had sleeves and a reasonable neckline, which - she hoped - would shield her from the cold (some of the other things she was given were ridiculously short or had a cleavage that barely covered anything - they looked amazing, of course, but she was not ready to freeze for the sake of looking good). The only problem with the dress was that it was tight. Uncomfortably, intimidatingly tight. Marla was never particularly self-conscious, but she would be lying if she said she was feeling completely confident in such a form-fitting garment.

'Is it this bad?' she asked, discouraged by Cassian's silent stare, suddenly wanting to get back into her baggy Rebellion uniform.

'No, it's- it's okay, I guess. I don't know. Although you could do something with the hair, you know?' he muttered, his voice suddenly cold and flat.

'Hey. Rude.'

'No, seriously. Did you see any of the holos Ethre attached? They don't wear their hair down like this; it's too... common. You have to pay attention if you want this to work.'

'Who cares,' Marla began getting frustrated with the sudden wave of criticism.

Cassian sighed, 'I do. And you should, too, if you want this to go well. The devil's in the details,' Marla rolled her eyes and crossed her arms across her chest. 'Okay. Come here.'

She froze, processing his words, 'Excuse me?'

'Come here. Sit down.'

All of Marla's bad mood suddenly vanished, replaced by a mixture of disbelief and amusement, 'You cannot be serious. Tell me you're not serious,' she blurted out, trying desperately to stifle a laugh.

Cassian's expression was still stone cold as he motioned towards the pilot's seat.

'I can't fucking believe this. Cassian Andor is gonna be doing my hair. Why did everyone have to go somewhere? This is gonna be a fucking sight.'

She eagerly sat down in the pilot chair and turned away from him. Soon, she felt his fingers run through the length of her hair, splitting it into a couple of sections. His hands were surprisingly warm and gentle. Both of them fell quiet, the silence on the ship interrupted only by the faint humming of the heating system.

'How do you even know how to do this?' she finally asked. Cassian just mumbled something unintelligible, so she decided to suspend the interrogation.

Instead, she sat back in the chair and closed her eyes, taking in the pleasant sensation of his hands running through her hair. At one point, he accidentally brushed the tip of his fingers against her earlobe, and a sudden bolt of electricity ran through her body. She couldn't see him, but she felt his closeness, she heard his steady breath, and Maker, that was a lot for her to process. As much as she hated to admit it, this whole situation was doing something funny to her, as evidenced by the gentle tremble of her hands and a stupid, inexplicable warmth spreading in her chest.

'I grew up taking care of my sister,' he murmured from behind her, answering the question she had long forgotten.

In all the years she'd known him, he never mentioned anything about his family, and she was never one to pry. It felt somehow wrong to hear him talk about it. Wrong, but also special, like she was entrusted with a big secret. She decided not to react, afraid to say something inappropriate.

'Okay, that's as good as it's gonna get. I haven't done this in years.'

Cassian turned the chair around to inspect his work from another angle. He leaned forward, carefully studying her hair and then briefly shifting his attention to her face. She quickly looked down, suddenly feeling small and exposed.

It felt like ages before he straightened up and stepped away from the chair.

'Okay. Get ready. We need to get going.'

'Yeah. Right. Thanks,' she mumbled, realising she had forgotten entirely about why she was there. She closed her eyes again and took a long, deep breath before standing up and following Cassian to the exit.

'Let's go over this again. Name, age, date of birth, place of birth.'

Marla groaned loudly. On their way to the spaceport, Cassian was determined to ensure she remembered all the details about her cover, and so he spent every second of the journey asking the same questions over and over again.

'You really don't trust me with this, do you?'

'I really don't. Name, age, date of birth, place of birth.'

She sighed with resignation, 'Ioan Shan. Twenty-nine. 12 BFE. Scehpira.'

'Good. Parents' names?'

'Lumina and Emer. I'm not going through this all over again, Cassian. I'm done.'

'Not Cassian. Bespo.'

'Whatever. I hate this.'

'I thought you'd love the opportunity to boss me around.'

'I can do that anytime, Captain .'

'Yeah. I know,' he murmured, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

The spaceport was large and busy, mostly due to the numerous trading ships going in and out. Marla assumed the increased traffic was one of the benefits of the Imperial presence that the governor advertised.

Among the crowd, the merchants were clearly distinguishable from the locals; their clothes richer and more colourful, their eyes filled with pride and - sometimes - disdain. All around them, workers were hurrying between ships and carrying different types and sizes of cargo. There was also a fair number of children, with dirty hands, holes in their clothes and outstretched hands, running from one rich-looking merchant to another.

Marla had never really experienced poverty, at least not to the extent that these people did. Sure, her parents weren't exactly filthy rich, and money became a bit tight when her father died - but they always had just enough to get by. And then, after she'd joined the Academy, she didn't even have to think about getting food or clothing; everything was provided. It was bland and boring and standardised, but it was also a given, which - as she later realised - was a fantastic luxury. After the fall of the Republic, she did struggle for a bit - being on the run didn't exactly provide her with a steady stream of income. But then again - as soon as you have proven yourself to be an enemy of the Empire, there was always someone who would quietly take you in, give you some food and a roof to sleep under. And what she didn't get this way, she was able to buy with the money she occasionally earned as a hired gun - taking jobs that targeted Imperial officials or facilities, making use of her training and ever-growing anger.

Therefore, the poverty she saw on Scen wasn't something she knew from experience, but even she understood it was wrong, so fucking wrong. To have the Imperial bootlickers flaunt their wealth so ostentatiously and cruelly while most of Scen's population couldn't even afford proper clothing to shield them from the cold. She felt sick to the stomach just looking at the colourful fabrics, at the abundance of fur and jewellery, at the looks of superiority and disgust.

'Here we are. That's our ship. Remember, from now on, you're Ioan Shan. You're royalty. Act accordingly.'

She pressed her lips with annoyance.

'Perfect. Just be vaguely irritated at everything. I know you can do it.'

'Once this is over, I will make you regret ever even thinking about signing me up for this fucking masquerade.'

'Language,' he raised one of his eyebrows, a slight hint of teasing in his voice.

Oh, he's enjoying this way too much.

Slowly, they approached one of the ships docked on the platform. They had already made an agreement beforehand with one of the port workers - in exchange for a bunch of credits, he would let them pretend they had just arrived on one of the ships and unload previously delivered bags and crates, and for an additional bonus he would falsify the shipping manifesto and the arrivals log to create a trail of paperwork, should anyone bother to check.

The man nodded as they approached and pointed his chin at the ship's ramp. Leaving Marla outside, Cassian went in to grab their bags from the ship while she paid one of the locals to unload the remaining cargo, making sure to tip him handsomely.

Soon enough, she was approached by a smart-dressed elderly man who had just stepped out of a shiny airspeeder.

'Miss Shan? I was instructed to pick you up and help you get to your sister's house. May I take your bags?'

'It's fine,' she said, stifling a small grin. 'He has to earn his keep somehow,' she explained, motioning at Cassian, who was just coming their way with a bag in each hand.

'Absolutely. In that case, please follow me,' the driver said flatly, guiding her towards the vehicle. She managed to flash Cassian a victorious grin before leaving him behind to load the luggage onto the airspeeder.

'Sister! It is so good to see you, my dear,' a sweet voice that made Marla slightly sick welcomed her once they arrived at their destination.

As expected, the governor's mansion was ridiculously luxurious, the stark contrast with the streets they had just left making Marla want to grab Cassian's blaster and shoot someone, anyone. Maybe even herself, just to get away from this idiotic situation.

Instead, she forced a smile and allowed Ethre to embrace her in a stiff and superficial hug.

No wonder her real sister never visits.

'Your servant can follow our staff; they will assist with your luggage and show him to the servant quarters,' Ethre flashed Cassian a faint smile, to which he nodded dutifully and followed inside.

He was right; I do love this.

'Sorry about that, Cassian. It would have been suspicious to put my sister's servant in one of the guest rooms. I had them prepare a warm bed for you downstairs; you will also find some food, clothing and a couple of books. Let me know if you need anything, and I can make it happen.'

'Don't worry about it. I'm sure I've slept in worse conditions,' Cassian flashed Ethre a smile, their prolonged eye contact making Marla want to gag.

'Okay. What's the plan now, sister?'

'I've convinced Odric you are too tired to socialise today,' Ethre explained, shifting her attention to Marla. 'Tomorrow morning, I am scheduled to give you a tour of the property - I guess it makes sense for your servant to come along too - and then you are invited to a dinner with my husband and me. It's just the three of us, but don't be fooled; Odric loves every chance to show off. I'll send one of my maidens to help you get ready.'

'Great. Do we have other plans besides fine dining and looking at pretty furniture?'

'We have several objectives,' Cassian interjected. 'The main one is to neutralise the governor's influence, rid him of any political power. That's largely dependent on the intel I gather in the next couple of days - I need to find his weak spot, a way to quickly and quietly make him disappear. In the meantime, we need to keep our eyes open for anything that could help Gaere and his men with the planned attack on the garrison. We know the governor is close with his Imperial friends; maybe we can find some documents, datapads, lists, names, anything. And finally: we know they've been imprisoning some of the rebels, but no one knows where exactly they take them and what they do to them. We know from Ethre,' he nodded at her, 'that the governor is at the very least aware of this operation. Perhaps he has some more intel. Maybe we will be able to find the location or at least some clues as to how to get to the prisoners. If we are to free them, we need to do it right before the main strike - otherwise, I can guarantee that as soon as the Imperials realise something is happening, they will start killing the prisoners one by one. Whatever they are doing there, they're not gonna wanna make it public knowledge.'

'Okay, so, to summarise, we snoop around. Boring, but doable,' Marla sat on the bed behind her, crossing her arms across her chest.

'Honestly, you just focus on distracting the governor. Attend his lavish dinners. Request a drive around the city. Have him show you the sights. Just keep him off my way, and I'll do the rest.'

'Great. And what if he expects me to start praising the Empire with him, and I accidentally impale him on the fence?'

'I'll be there,' Ethre cut in. 'I'll help minimise your interactions with him. I already told him you're very shy and quiet,' she smirked.

'I still have a bad feeling about this.'

'You have to try, Marla,' Cassian squatted beside the bed, looking up at her face. Maker, was he always so terrible with respecting personal space, or did she only start noticing recently? 'You can do it. I know you can.'

'Fine,' she sighed. 'I'll try. But don't be surprised if I stab him with the fork.'

The house tour that Ethre took them on in the morning helped them get an understanding of the layout of the place, highlighting potential hideouts and exits. It also gave them ideas about where the governor might be storing important information. While pretending to be introducing her sister to their large art collection, Ethre subtly pointed out the location of her husband's office, commenting on how he never even lets the servants clean there and how it must be dusty and disgusting. She also gave them quite a detailed summary of their security, so that you can feel safe while you're staying with us, dear .

This took them all morning and a large chunk of the afternoon, with a quick break for lunch in the gardens. The gardens were, in fact, a large greenhouse with plants and flowers imported from all over the Galaxy. Marla suspected there was more greenery in that place than on the remainder of Scen. It was, of course, breathtaking - the greenhouse walls were covered with various vines, locking the garden in a green embrace and separating it entirely from the bleak landscape on the outside. The whole place was heated, so they had no issues sitting down on the lusciously green grass to eat the food that had been delivered by one of the servants. They sat beneath an enormous tree, its lush branches outstretched far beyond their heads. In the distance, a group of gardeners was tending to the shrubbery, taming some unruly twigs and ensuring they stayed shapely and thick.

In the afternoon, Marla was finally allowed to return to her room to 'rest and get ready for dinner'. The mere thought of the upcoming meal made her feel nauseous, so she decided to make use of the large bathtub to relax and come up with a strategy for the evening.

The water was warm and covered with bubbles. It felt amazing. When was the last time she had an actual bath, as opposed to a quick cold shower in the ship's refresher?

Need to speak with the general about installing some bathtubs on the base. She imagined herself coming back after a long mission, emerging tired and sweaty from her X-wing, only to return to the base, shed the dirty clothing and submerge herself in hot, perfumed water. Yes. It would do wonders for morale.

Suddenly, her bliss was interrupted by the sharp ringing of her comlink. She fished it out from the pile of clothes on the floor and saw the name on the small display. Cassian. She panicked momentarily, gathering all the bubbles around her chest before turning on the comlink to see the blue projection of his face.

'Marla... what the hell are you doing?'

'You told me to act like royalty. I don't know about you, but for me, nothing speaks royalty louder than a warm, luxurious bath.'

'You- seriously. Couldn't think of anything useful to do?'

'Hey. I'm regenerating. Gonna need all the chill I can during the dinner. Let me tell you, it is absolutely glorious. You need to come and try it for yourself,' she suggested eagerly, only to suddenly feel her breath sinking in her chest as Cassian's eyes widened ever so slightly. 'I mean, while I'm having dinner. The bathroom will be free. You can try it for yourself. By yourself. When I'm not here,' she blurted out nervously.

Great job, Marla. Now he thinks you're a fucking creep.

'Right,' Cassian cleared his throat, 'Anyway. I wanted to tell you I have an idea where to start searching for some clues. I'm gonna need you to stall the governor for as long as possible. And ping me when you're finishing so that I know how much time I have.'

'Right. Yes. Sure,' she muttered, painfully biting into the insides of her cheeks.

'Okay. Good luck. And,' he hesitated for a moment, his pupils dilating again, this time accompanied by a small, smug smile, 'have a nice bath. Don't get too cosy.'

As the projection disappeared, Marla let out a loud groan. All her tranquillity vanished into thin air, leaving her inexplicably jittery and self-conscious. Stupid bath, stupid soft towels, stupid mission.

The dinner was not going well. That was hardly a surprise, but Marla was at least hoping she would be able to not participate in the conversation and just stuff her face with food, letting them forget about her existence. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

'I hear Ethre gave you a tour of our grounds today. What did you think?'

Marla quickly stuffed a bite of food in her mouth to buy her some time. 'It's beautiful,' she finally blurted out, staring intently at her plate.

'Yes. Yes, beautiful. I imagine you must miss these kinds of living conditions, right? How is the rebuilding going?'

The governor was speaking slowly, pronouncing each word with exaggerated precision. He was sitting a fair distance from Marla, at the top of a large wooden table. He was much older than Ethre - his hair was completely grey, and his face was covered in deep wrinkles. He was just about as pleasant as you would expect - his eyes were hollow and spiritless, and whenever he spoke, Marla couldn't decide if she wanted to fall asleep to the monotonous intonation of his voice or strangle him for the not-so-subtle undertones of superiority.

Recalling quickly what she had read about Ethre's home planet, Marla looked up at the governor and replied flatly, 'We're making progress. Still a long way to go, though.'

'Oh, I imagine. I must go there sometime, see the new Scehpira for myself. It's been expensive, but I'm happy to support your family in any way I can,' he said, his voice suggesting neither happiness nor any other positive emotions.

Marla nodded curtly, feeling a rush of anger beginning to fill up her mind.

'Isn't it great how the Empire supports their people?' he continued. 'You must be delighted your father finally came to his senses after how his blind loyalty to the Republic cost you your home.'

Marla gritted her teeth and took a slow, laboured breath.

'Yes. Delighted.'

Scehpira was a small planet, not really significant or special in any way, to the point where Marla wasn't sure if she'd even heard of it before the mission. What she's learnt over the past couple of days - and what Cassian had her repeat over and over again to make sure she knows the planet's history like the back of her hand - was that around the end of the Clone Wars, they were attacked and completely obliterated by the Separatist forces. They were an easy target, and their natural resources were a tempting enough prize. Their king - Ethre and Ioan's father - was given an opportunity to surrender but remained loyal to the Republic. Overnight, more than half of the planet's population was killed in a horrific air invasion, which left most of Scehpira burnt to the ground. The remaining inhabitants were evacuated by the Republic, but no further help was provided. The planed remained barren and empty for years, until one day, the governor of a Scen took an interest in a potential investment and offered his financial help in exchange for Ethre's hand in marriage and a promise of alliance with the Empire.

Marla wasn't particularly fond of Ethre, but learning her story made her feel physically sick. She's seen courage, she's fought side by side with some of the bravest people in this Galaxy, and she herself has been risking her life many times in the name of the Rebellion. And yet, she was not sure she would be able to do something like this. To wake up every day next to... this man. Knowing he was licking the boots of the same people that stepped on her homeland. Knowing that as long as he was in power, she was chained to her golden cage, any attempt at escape threatening the well-being of her homeland.

'Are you all right, Ioan? You're looking pale. Did I say something wrong?' the governor's words cut through the silence and began ringing in Marla's ears as she lowered her eyes and began staring at her balled-up fists.

I can't do this. I can't fucking do this.

'Darling, I'm sure you're exhausted after yesterday's journey. Silly me, I've been rushing you around all day, not giving you a moment to breathe,' Ethre's soft voice brought Marla back to reality. The woman gave her a wide smile, but her eyes flashed with a subtle warning. 'Let me get someone to take you back to your room. I'm sure you'll be feeling better after a good night's sleep.'

Marla murmured something unintelligible, focusing all her attention on steadying her breath and hiding her anger. She stood up from the table, and within seconds someone's gentle hands were placed on her back to help support her balance.

'Good night, darling,' she heard Ethre's melodious voice.

'Good night,' she muttered, letting herself be guided outside and towards her room.

'Don't tell me you're already finished. Kriff, I told you to stall,' the holographic image of Cassian expressed surprise and worry.

'No, they... they still have two courses left. I'd say you have at least another hour.'

'What happened?' he froze, expecting the worst.

'Nothing. It's just, I... He started talking about politics, and... I stayed calm, but it was becoming more and more difficult. Ethre excused me; she said I needed to rest. I'm sorry, Cassian. I just...' she murmured, not looking at his face.

He went quiet for a moment before resuming in a calm, slow voice, 'It's okay. What's done is done. I suppose I could use some help. Meet me at the top of the stairway to the third floor.'

It will all be over soon. The bastard will get what he deserves, she repeated in her head as she hurried through the empty corridors towards their meeting point. Cassian was already waiting for her, a bundle of fluffy white towels tucked under his arm.

'If anyone asked, I was on my way to bring you fresh towels,' he explained, noticing her confusion. 'I already checked the library, nothing of significance there. I thought we might have more luck in the governor's office, but we'd need to get the keycard first. From what I've managed to learn from the maids, they have spares in the supply closet on the third floor. The one next to the music room, remember?'

Marla nodded shortly, 'Sounds good. Let's do this.'

They followed down the corridor, careful not to make too much sound. Most of the staff was currently helping in the kitchen or preparing the bedrooms, so they had pretty good chances of remaining unnoticed.

The hallway they were currently crossing was long and mostly empty, with an occasional sculpture or a long antique bench set along the walls. It was eerily silent, only their steps (partially muffled by the soft carpet) echoing quietly off the walls.

They were about to make the last turn when Cassian suddenly stopped and froze. Marla followed suit, listening carefully for anything unusual. He was right. There was another set of feet audible in the distance, the sound getting louder and louder with each second.

Both of them turned quickly around, desperately trying to find a hiding place. The closest room was a significant distance away from them, and the nearby sculpture was way too small to provide any sort of cover.

Suddenly, she felt Cassian's grip on her arm, yanking her back and down towards the floor. A quick look in that direction explained what his plan was; there was a wooden bench on the opposite side of the hallway. It was long enough to fit an adult human and - most importantly - was protected by a decorative slipcover that reached all the way to the ground.

Before she could realise it, she found herself pushed under the bench with Cassian squashing her up against the wall. Not a moment too soon - the steps became loud and accompanied by two voices, clearly approaching their position.

'I told her someone is gonna notice sooner or later, and then we all become suspects. I get that she has a family, but she's become careless. Someone will eventually notice stuff has been disappearing.'

The hallway was now echoing with a hushed voice and an even louder sound of footsteps.

Focused exclusively on not getting seen, Marla tuned out all the other aspects of this situation. Like the fact that, due to limited space, Cassian's body was now pressed firmly into hers. She was therefore completely unprepared for the sudden sensation of a gentle brush on her waist, followed by a jolt of electricity spreading through her body.

'Yeah, I heard the other day that the governor was looking for his cufflinks and threw a fit. A couple more of these, and they will start suspecting something. And it's gonna be our heads on the line.'

The hushed voices were now directly next to them, but to Marla, they sounded far, far away. As her eyes started getting used to the darkness, she began seeing the outline of Cassian's face and realised how close it was to her own.

'You're right. Someone needs to talk with her before it's too late.'

Too late . The words echoed in Marla's head as she felt Cassian rest his hand against her waist, this time decidedly, without hesitation. She gathered all of her courage to look up and search the darkness for his eyes.

She was now looking directly at him, and Maker, she felt utterly devoured by his gaze. She quickly looked down again, focusing on the rising and falling of his chest, and realising that she had completely forgotten to breathe.

Slowly, his hand began trailing up along her waist. Her head was now spinning, a buzz of excitement starting to fill her mind, forcing her to close her eyes.

The time stopped completely. Was there ever anything else than this? Was his warm breath ever not fanning over her face, were their bodies ever not clashed together, was she ever alive outside of this moment?

And then, just as suddenly as it all started, she noticed the pressure of his body decreasing and realised the footsteps had long faded away. For a moment, she felt completely numb, frozen in place, looking at Cassian crawl away from underneath the bench and slowly registering the absence of his warmth. It took her a while to remember where she was and what she was doing before she took a deep breath and forced her body to move.

He was standing with his back turned, straightening his jacket casually. Marla absentmindedly observed her own hand grabbing the wall for support and stifled another sigh.

She was back to reality, back in the brightly lit corridor, back to being focused on finding the keycard to the governor's office. But it was obvious something was different; you could still feel the residue of tension between them, even though Cassian made sure to act as casually as possible.

Well, that's definitely gonna be a problem.

A/N:

Right.

The next chapter might take a couple more days than usual, I'll be having a tough time at work.

Thank you all for being so amazing and supportive.

#cassian andor x original female character #cassian andor #andor #rogue one a star wars story #star wars fanfiction #andor show

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horanghaechan · 4 years ago

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Dream in a Dream (M)

pairing: Prince!Ten x Princess!You

word count: 6k

warnings: written in 3rd person, mature content, fluffy, ten being the love of my life

synopsis: The Four Great Kingdoms took turns to maintain the peace of a planet called Mahabhuta. However, when minor rebellions threaten its stability, two kingdoms seek an alliance. But, hearts could never be war weapons. What to do when one of them is already committed to another?

Inspired by indian/turkish stuff and Avatar lol

[a/n]: since he (and his smile) was the reason i started stanning nct back in march 2016 (lol) i decided to post this here, the original version is in portuguese and posted on my fic site. happy bday, phonphon, you deserve the world.

also, english is not my first language so any grammar/etc mistake please let me know!

First of all, a small glossary so you don’t get lost:

The cycle of the Great Kingdoms of Mahabhuta takes place by:

Kingdom of Prithvi (Kingdom of Earth)

Kingdom of Apas-Jal (Kingdom of Water)

Kingdom of Agni (Kingdom of Fire)

Kingdom of Vayu (Kingdom of Air)

However, there is Akasha (Heaven, "vacuum"), by which all other kingdoms are "subjected". Akasha’s laws override any other law, as they were enacted prior to the division of Mahābhūta.

The hierarchy in each kingdom consists of:

Samraat and Samrajni – emperor and empress;

Maharaja and Maharani – king and queen, used formally for the heirs of the throne;

Raja and Rani – king and queen, used informally with the heirs of the throne.

Some words used by the characters and their meanings:

Evet: an informal way of saying “yes”;

Nei: an informal way of saying “no”;

Shokran: “thanks” said from peasants to monarchs;

Shukriya: “thanks” said from monarchs to peasants;

Olum: interjection of astonishment, incredulity.

Om Shanti: good luck.

Findi: petname, which can mean both “love” and “sweetheart”, normally related to married couples.

☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼

Border between Vayu and Prithvi, Apas-Jal Era.

Some carriages and soldiers crossed the bridge across the border of the Kingdom of Prithvi. Everyone there was fully aware of what they were doing, but no one hesitated. Keeping Maharani of Vayu happy was the only thing they were looking for.

“Rani Y/N are you sure that Raja Chittaphon will be waiting for us?” Ipek, Y/N’s chaperone and personal maid, asked worriedly.

“Evet.” Y/N nodded. “It’s our only chance.”

“Samraat Bhima will be horrified when he notices that you are missing.”

“He will.” The princess smiled. “But he’ll eventually understand that I had to.”

“Everyone will be delighted when you get married to Raja Chittaphon, right?!” Ipek smiled when she noticed how the girl’s face lit up at her question.

“Hopefully so, Ipek. That’s what I’m aiming for.” Y/N sighed, biting another smile. Remembering Chittaphon always resulted in moments like that, where everything melted and she became a puddle of love.

She still shivered like a fool when she remembered when they met.

Flashback on

Jala, Kingdom of Apas-Jal, 3 years ago

The corridors of the Palace of Jala were huge and very confusing. There were no separated doors, let alone identification by floors or wings. Y/N walked blindly through them, because she couldn’t remember where they assigned her rooms earlier.

“Well, I’m sure it’s not here.” One of the doors opened and a boy came out of it, on his back, wearing a typical outfit of the monarchs she knew.

“Olum!” Y/N froze on her place.

“Oh, are you the owner of this room?” He turned to her, drawing her attention to the pair of amused chestnut eyes that stared at her.

“Nei, nei. I’m lost.” She confessed. “I thought the floor was empty.”

“They told me that the Kingdom of Agni would be on the third floor, according to the cycle, but I confess I’m having trouble counting. Is it the third excluding the ground floor, or the third from the ground?” The boy smiled and she felt her heart flutter.

She absolutely adored smiles.

And... Olum, that smile was out of this world!

“Well, guess I’m twice wrong, then.” she blushed.

“You’re not from Agni, I suppose.”

“Nei. I’m from Vayu.” She extended her hand, indicating the ring of the Compass Rose, which was the symbol of her kingdom. “I ended getting lost...”

“Ten, from Agni.” the boy showed his own ring too, a ruby sun adorning his hand. Only monarchs wore such rings. “Maybe if we go back where you came from, we’ll be able to find your chaperone.”

“Y/N, from Vayu.” She bowed, understanding now with whom she spoke. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Maharaja Chittaphon.”

“Olum, it can’t be!” Another lovely smile painted his thin lips. “Maharani Y/N Vatavaran?” Ten sounded excited. “I spent years trying to get to know you!”

“Really?” Y/N raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

“Indeed! Did you think that you could remain incognito forever? All kingdoms are curious about the Heiress of the Air.” he signalled for them to start walking. He couldn’t touch her until they were officially introduced. “I suppose you make your debut at tonight’s ball?”

“My parents decided that it’s time for me to seek popularity.” She nodded. “I’m a little afraid, you know? Balls have always seemed too formal.”

“And they are.” Ten agreed. “But as soon as we are introduced, I’ll ask for one dance, and I hope you’ll save me a page on your card.”

“As I don’t know anyone, you’ll have them all.” She laughed.

“Perfect! So I won’t have to keep company with the Apas.”

“Don’t you like water?”

“I don’t like anything that puts out fire.” Ten joked casually, and then realized that the princess was puzzled by his comment. “Don’t worry, the air tends to spread it. I really like the air.” The same amusement gleam flashed through those chestnut eyes.

Y/N also had made up her mind: she liked the fire a lot.

End of flashback

Closing her eyes, Y/N waited for the right time to relax. When the antelope’s hooves stopped, she knew it was near.

“Maharani Vatavaran, we have arrived.” One of the soldiers tapped the carriage window twice, breaking the silence. “Maharaja Bhumi is waiting for you.”

“I’ll go down. Shukriya.” Y/N smiled. “We’ll meet tomorrow, Ipek. Watch out for any strange movements, pay close attention to the air! As we are in Prithvi you may feel weaker, but just focus on the atmosphere.”

“Evet, evet. Now go, we have no time to waste!” Ipek rushed her.

“Off I go.” Y/N smiled. “Wish me luck.”

“Om Shanti.” Ipek raised her hands to her face, crossing them in the shape of a bird and touching her forehead between them, a gesture of undoubted respect to Her Highness.

Y/N got out of the carriage and came across Bhumi, Prithvi’s heir. They had become very close friends when they were in Jala, because Bhumi was Ten’s close cousin. Adding up to their escapade, Varaha, capital of Prithvi, was extremely close to Akasha – if all went well, they’d need just two days to arrive there.

“I’m glad you made it!” Bhumi hugged her. “Ten must be on his way.” He signalled for a carriage behind them. “If they saw Vayu’s carriage we might have had problems, so I thought it is better to use mine until we get to the house.”

“Thanks for helping.” She thanked him, getting into the car.

“You know my weaknesses are love stories, Y/N.” Bhumi laughed. “I asked some guards to take the road to Akasha and they reported that it is in perfect condition. I separated two stops, one in Urvarak and the other in Chattaan; if you manage to reach Chattaan tomorrow by the afternoon, Akasha is just an hour away, so you can rest and do everything at dawn. I estimate that by lunchtime you’ll be married.” Bhumi gave her hands a soft squeeze. “Om Shanti, cousin.”

“Thank you, dear. But can’t we go straight to Chattaan?”

“It’d be very risky and a tad tiring. If other guards notice a strange movement on the roads, it’ll be warned to my father and everything will go down the drain.”

“Then we will follow the pace of normal travelers.” Y/N nodded. “Ipek is following in a carriage with some of my guards, but there is nothing that indicates my presence or relation to me. Do you think they are in danger?”

“If there’s nothing of yours with her, then I don’t believe so.” Bhumi waved a hand, dispensing bad luck. “As soon as they reach Urvarak, if they wish, they can go up in the air and proceed directly to Akasha, without stopping by Chattaan, or just taking a short rest. But, in my point of view, it’d be a little risky, no? Since your father will notice your disappearance in a few hours...”

“I’ll talk to Ipek, then. It would be really good if we had someone waiting for us in Akasha.” Y/N stared at the road. “How long does it take for Urvarak?”

“If you leave this morning, you’ll be there before sunset. That, of course, if you stop to eat and everything.” Bhumi loosened a belt that held his royal attire. “We will be near Varaha in a few minutes, but I’ll drop you off at home and go to the palace. You need to be aware because only Ten knows where it is.”

“Do you think he hasn’t arrived yet?”

“I don’t know how it went with the guards at the border, even if I let them know he was coming.” Bhumi sighed. “In times of crisis, things get chaotic.’

“I hope we don’t make this a bigger problem.” Y/N sighed.

“Love inevitably creates problems, baby.” he laughed. “But, a Maharaja has always been able to choose his wife and vice versa. I don’t see your marriage as an affront to Mahabhuta’s balance, but exactly what Apas-Jal and Agni wanted to do: an alliance. So, if we are to have an alliance, let it be real and auspicious.”

“Ah Bhumi, dear, you’re so good with words.” Y/N laughed, trying to relax.

☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼

The house consisted of Prithvi’s standard architecture, with various stone details and spearhead adornments. After hugging and thanking Bhumi four more times, Y/N quietly entered the house, dressed as an ordinary Vahara citizen. It was very good that Bhumi had chosen a normal property instead of a more luxurious and aristocratic house.

She put her bag in the living room and walked to the bathroom, desperate to shower and do her hair. It could be the height of futility, but Y/N did not want Ten to see her sloppy and dirty. All those times they met when she was air bending were enough... They, in general, involved a lot of dust and dry leaves.

“Of course Bhumi would do that.” Y/N sweetly smiled when she found cinnamon essence in the bathroom. This was, in the best description, Vayu’s “official” smell.

While the water in the bathtub heated up, Y/N stretched out a lacy mid-length dress and a cloak. She had brought, in addition to that outfit, another white dress – which she would wear the day she arrived in Akasha – and a dark green dress.

Y/N smoothed the velvet piece and smiled a little. She was starting quite an adventure, but couldn’t find the slightest regret for what she was doing. For sure, if she had to choose, she would do everything again and again.

After washing up, Y/N was braiding her hair when she heard a noise coming from the kitchen. She felt chills down her spine, but because the house had only one floor, anyone who entered it would make enough noise for her to prepare before she could cross the room. Awareness spread through her and she held tight on her hairbrush and a small hand mirror – since there wasn’t enough time to look for any other weapon.

“Y/N?” Her name came out loud in a soft voice, almost like velvet.

“Ten!” dropping all objects, she ran to him.

The couple hugged each other, trying to make up for all the one-month longing in those few seconds. A never-ending month in which Ten had heard about the arranged marriage; he and Y/N did not have much chance of communicating; and in which each other’s world seemed to get off track with the possibility of not being able to be together as they wanted to.

“How are you? Did you arrive safely?” Ten caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, loving how Y/N’s eyes closed at the slightest touch.

“I got scared thinking the house was invaded, but now I’m fine. And yes, I arrived safely thanks to Bhumi’s assistance.” she smiled.

“Sorry, I heard the water and decided it’d be respectful to wait.”

“There’s nothing you haven’t seen before.” Y/N blinked, wickedly.

“I know.” Ten brought his face close to hers. “But I thought we had agreed not to do anything else until the wedding?!”

“To look doesn’t mean to touch.” She lifted her chin, voice dripping challenge.

“It turns out, little devil, I’m not so magnanimous.” He pressed his lips to hers, savouring the longing. The last time they saw each other they had to be quick, because it was at the reunion of the kingdoms, and although they could not participate actively, the heirs had an obligation to be present.

Ten circled her waist, breathing in the cinnamon and melting on Y/N’s tongue. Her whole body was on fire – almost not so figuratively – when they were together. Even though he knew they couldn’t waste time, he delighted himself with a few bites on her neck, fighting the urge to take the kiss further.

“I swear I can’t wait to be married.” She whispered. “Then I won’t need to count our minutes together.”

“Soon.” Ten winked. “We are leaving this morning, right?”

“I think it would be ideal. Bhumi said that we can get to Akasha in two days, or we can cut some time, but we would not have Ipek anticipating any problems. It’s up to you.” She shrugged.

“We’ll do what is best at the moment, findi.” Ten smiled. “This nickname gets better and better just because it reminds me that it should be used by married people.”

“You are very keen to remember that we will get married.”

“In Agni, marriage is one of the best things that could happen to anyone, you know?” He let Y/N get out of his arms. “You can’t blame me for this.”

“I don’t blame you, but your excitement is so evident that it makes me look disinterested… And you know I’m not.”

“It’ll show up as soon as we have tied our strings.”

Y/N smiled at the mention, because the wedding rite in Akasha had, as one of the main points, to use strings. Each kingdom had its specific ritual, and they should be performed according to the bride and groom’s wishes (and the place they were in, regardless of their nationalities). When Y/N was learning about kingdoms and their cultures, she never imagined that she’d marry in Akasha, let alone with their celebration. She couldn’t wait to put it into practice.

“How’s the situation in Agni?” Y/N asked as she folded her clothes.

“Kinda stable.” Ten sat on the bed and removed his boots. “Dad thinks it’s a matter of time before it spreads to other regions other than the capital”.

“I hope nobody gets seriously hurt until we get this solved.”

“For now there was nothing.” he nodded. “Just two fires in abandoned houses. The big problem is that this affects the population indirectly; after all, you never know when they will start attacking them. Psychological terror is the worst weapon.”

“Do you think we’re going to make it worse by getting married?” Y/N swallowed.

“I think...” Ten looked at her, a small smile adorning his beautiful face. “That love is a force far greater than greed and power. If two prosperous kingdoms tied by love, and nothing but love, fails to reach everyone’s heart, then no alliance between two other kingdoms will change reality.” He held out his hand, looking for hers over the velvet dress. “I didn’t lie when I said I would set the world on fire if something hurt you, findi. It only takes one word and we return to our kingdoms.”

“No!” she denied fervently. “I won’t give you up. I only worry about these rebellions...” She shrugged. “But I love you, Ten. You know that, right?”

“Always.” he nodded. “Why don’t we rest before leaving?!”

☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼

The two of them really tried to rest, but the growing tension and adrenaline from their escape were too much. Long before planned, they were already on the road, heading towards Urvarak.

“It’s amazing how, despite the night, everyone lives normally. Look at how crowded the road is!” Y/N commented, surprised. “The Kingdom that never sleeps, really.”

“We have a stop in forty minutes. If you’re cold, I can stop to get the blanket from the trunk.” Ten, the gentleman he was, offered.

“I’m fine, findi. If anything, I can hug you and I’ll be warm soon.”

“If you don’t want to be attacked by my kisses, I advise you to stay away.”

“What if I want?” She raised her eyebrow.

“Seriously Y/N, I don’t know what to do with you!” he laughed. “We’ll definitely take the air route and get married as soon as possible.”

“It’s amazing how shy I still am with your flirty banters.” Y/N sighed, because in spite of being bold, that was not quite how she felt.

Sometimes she managed to keep on her carefree persona, but her feelings for Ten always made her embarrass herself. It summed up in a fool, enchanted by any movement or word spoken by him... Especially when they were addressed to her. Olum, how difficult it was to remain serious at public parties! Both of them needed to behave as if they didn’t like each other more than the “necessary”, as if they had priorities and not wished to spend every second together. Thanks to Bhumi, they were able to get away often and make some time to ease their longing.

“Ah, Rani Y/N,” he clicked his tongue. “why does this shyness never appear when it should?” His chestnut eyes flashed in a playful glow.

“Stop it, Ten!” She laughed, shyly. “but, I must confess, I don’t regret you being the first. In everything.”

“It would be a little too late to regret it, you know?” Ten pinned. “However, that does not diminish the pleasure of listening to your confession. I hope that, in addition to being your first, I’ll also be your last.”

“If we get to Akasha really fast...” She batted her well-trained lashes, like a she used to do when trying to manipulate her father into thinking she was sweet and innocent.

“It’s decided! At the next stop I’ll look for antelopes and tomorrow afternoon we’ll be married.” Ten shook his head like an indignant little boy.

“In my suitcase I have a Vayu scroll and I will make sure that it reaches Ipek as soon as possible.” Y/N winked at the groom.

“What a helpful wife I got!

“Olum, you can’t even imagine.” She grinned.

☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼

The innkeeper explained to them how to get to the antelopes in two stops. They had thirty minutes until there, and the horses were losing their pace along the way. Fear not, Y/N thought, since she already had everything worked out in her head!

Probably, her father would be finding out about her disappearance at that moment, and then he would start searching the palace and the gardens. Then, when he didn’t find her, he would request searches around the city. Then, the Royal Guard would issue a search warrant to all kingdoms, and perhaps Chittaphon’s parents would warn Vayu of his disappearance as well. Then they would finally come to conclusion of what happened to the two heirs, and if they were as smart as Y/N hoped, they would march to Akasha.

Only that it would be too late.

Because she’d be married!

Perfect.

The antelope route was really the best option.

“Maybe I can bend some air so the horses can rest. I can make sure no one notices that they’re floating...”

“You schemed.” Ten laughed. “I don’t know why I thought I wouldn’t do it.”

“Perhaps you’re so excited about the escape that you didn’t pay close attention.” She joked. Everyone knew how much Maharani Y/N loved to turn things into schemes. “Well, if my plan is right, we have about fifteen hours to get married and consummate it, avoiding, even if improbable, it to be nulled.” she laughed. “Therefore, we indeed have to take the air route.”

“Amazing, findi.” Ten winked.

☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼

Akasha was a wonderful city. Y/N visited there only twice: when she was born, and when she reached her adult age, so she had to seize her title of heiress. She remembered the big trees, especially the cherry ones, the colourful houses, the bright and clean streets, the undeniably blue sky... There never seemed to exist bad weather in Akasha! When they stopped in front of the temple where they would celebrate their wedding, Y/N’s heart raced. It was a large and flowery place, like a cottage, with symbols of the four kingdoms and their specific plants. Two carriages (one with her guards and the other with his) were waiting for them in the parking lot. Impatient, Ten grabbed her hand and they both entered the temple, drowning in emotion and adrenaline.

“Ready?”

“Always.” she smiled.

Ipek, who had been instructed to organize everything, was talking to two monks and the celebrator. As soon as she saw Her Highness, she ran to help her get ready. They couldn’t waste a second of the day!

The typical ceremonial dress Ipek got was cream coloured, adorned with gold accents, and a dark green – almost black – velvet cape that made the costume extremely elegant. From the bar to the knee, the lines formed spirals and points that resembled the starry sky or some forest/landscape seen from above. Her hair was braided with gold threads and cherry blossoms, because they were the symbol of Akasha. At her hands, in addition to the jewels she was supposed to wear, temporary ink tattooed the main crests of the four kingdoms extended from the wrist to the elbow, to indicate the union of these nations. On her feet, more drawings, up to the height of her shin. She should be barefoot, connecting to the nature and the land, as a sign of balance.

“Raja Chittaphon is ready.” Ipek returned to the salon where Y/N was dressed. “Now we just need the ornaments on the face and you can go!”

“I’m anxious.” Y/N exhaled. “Let’s get on with it soon!”

“I promise it will be very quick.”

After Ipek used powder from shiny stones and glued three diamonds above her left eyebrow, Y/N was ready.

Ipek and two guards accompanied her to the decorated courtyard, where those responsible for marrying her had started the blessing in Ten, preventing him from seeing her. Y/N watched, with her racing heart, the black and gold velvet suit he wore, a single cherry blossom attached to the left side of his chest.

“We’re ready.” The monk guided her to the entrance of the hall.

After a short speech in Akasha’s dialect, one of the monks began to play a harp, while Y/N crossed the room towards Ten, not knowing how to react to the prince’s brilliant and hypnotic gaze.

When they faced each other, the monk handed them a small vase with coloured sand. According to the ritual, the sand symbolized “the union of two different points in the name of something greater” in this case, love, and each one should pour a little of it on a plate, so that the mixture of colours creates a new one: their colour. Y/N watched wordlessly as a lilac originated from the mixture.

“Now hold hands.” The man responsible for the ceremony instructed. “This is the thread of companionship. For Akasha, you are one, but this does not mean that you should forget who you were before the wedding. One hand is tied to the partner’s, while the other is free to remind you that there is room for both to grow together and individually.” He tied the ribbon on their fist. “Still united, we will recite the vows and walk towards the end of the celebration.”

Y/N and Ten repeated each word very calmly, although their hearts were desperate for the end. After washing their feet in the water of the main river, Kundalini, to purify their bodies in this new phase, the couple still had to plant a tree as well, symbolizing their growth. And, to the sound of “Under the laws of Akasha, I declare you husband and wife”, several fireworks were lit. Ipek started the party by playing a soft melody over two lovers, and the people present continued with the dance. The newest couple stared at each other, laughing.

“I think this is our cue to escape... Findi.” The nickname now sounded a thousand times wicked in Ten’s voice. “Let’s go?”

“I was counting the seconds.” Y/N nodded, intertwining their fingers, as they still had one hand joined.

☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼

Ten undid the first tie of Y/N’s dress quite slowly. He had done it a few times, but at that moment, it was too special to ruin it in a hurry. They were finally married. He no longer needed to be quick with Y/N. Now they had all the time in the world to love each other as they deserved.

“Do you need help?” Y/N frowned.

“No, findi. I just want to... Take it slow.” The light entering the room made his eyes even brighter. “Because you deserve to be adored, from head to toe. Quietly. Every inch.” To demonstrate his words, he raised her fist and glued his mouth to it, running his tongue lightly over her soft skin.

“Ten...” She breathed weakly, it tickled.

“What?” He smiled. “‘Ah Ten’, ‘more Ten’, ‘please, Ten’?”

“Pretentious rake.” Y/N shook her head, feeling her heart explode with joy.

“Your pretentious rake. Your favourite rake. Yours, for eternity.”

She closed her eyes at those words. She was his, too, since the damn smile he gave her in the hall of Apas-Jal’s palace. Olum, how could one live with so much love inside them?! And how lucky had she been to feel that and be reciprocated?!

I’m staying up

I don’t wanna come down from your love

Ten pulled her close, melting his mouth on her neck, biting and sucking like he knew she liked. He wrapped his arms around her, throwing the damn tie to the floor. Y/N smelled extremely well, having washed and removed the tattoos she was supposed to use for the wedding ceremony. His fingers tangled in the fabric of her nightgown at the mere sound of her quiet moan, trying to go easy, to remain chill. He didn’t want to go fast. He had to stay calm.

“Let’s go to the bed, huh?” Y/N suggested, knees buckling from all those emotions.

“I tell you I want to take it easy and you urge me to go fast...” He shook his head, carefully guiding her to the huge mattress. “What should I do?”

“You can start by kissing me here.” She signalled from her collarbone to the valley between the breasts. Ten smiled. “Or, you can let me take off your clothes...”

It’s not that she didn’t want to be worshiped from head to toe, but if her calculations didn’t fail, someone from the Kingdom of Vayu would arrive in Akasha by the end of the afternoon... And if the wedding wasn’t consummated, they could be in trouble. She and Chittaphon never took more than thirty minutes with sex, because there were always too many people around and if they were five minutes late, someone would miss one of them. It was unfair that their first time since married had to be rushed too, but they would have a whole life together.

But, Y/N should be grateful. At least they were together.

“What are you thinking?”

“Schemes.” She joked.

“ Now, now, Rani Y/N, that was an unfortunate answer.” He started unbuttoning his shirt. “Guess I’ll need to be a little cruel this time. I don’t want you thinking about anything other than my mouth and my fingers on your body.”

“Or your dick.” Y/N smirked, satisfied with the provocation.

She closed her eyes and felt Ten’s lips come down over her shoulder, paiting small bites. With her legs spread, he found space to rest between her thighs while devouring each centimetre of the princess. Her calculations were forgotten as soon as his fingertips went up the hem of her dress, sliding down the inside of her thighs, making her shiver. He reached her underwear and touched her clothed womanhood.

“I want you to do that again.” Y/N moaned.

“Do what?”

“You know what.” She gasped when he brushed her swollen spot.

“I don’t know,” He commented wickedly. “But I have an idea of what it is… And for that, I will finally need to take your clothes off.” He couldn’t believe that after months he’d be able to see her completely naked again.

Rather than feeling shy, Y/N was more than willing to throw the sleeping dress away. They never had much time to get rid of all their clothes, so she was also counting on Ten naked. It had been a long time since she had had such a privilege to see him like that. And the view was always a spectacle!

She sat up suddenly, leaving him a little unbalanced, but grinning. Y/N started pulling on her nightgown anyway, not caring if she would tear it up. Ten could bent fire, but what burned inside her was pure lust. He would have a hard time controlling his wife, especially if he continued to look at her as if she were a work of art. But as soon as the fabric passed over her head, Y/N didn’t have time to absorb the intensity of his eyes. Ten pulled her by the hand, kissing her urgently.

With the princess in his lap, he got rid of his shirt and tried to open his trousers’ button. To give him enough space, Y/N stepped back a little, noting a new detail in his left arm: there were two lines near the elbow, one thick and the other a little thinner. Unlike the wedding tattoos, those lines seemed permanent.

“What is it?” She asked curiously.

“In Agni, every married man should have this tattoo. It is like a ring that we never take out or lose.” Ten looked at his arm. “Women should have these lines on their ankles, but since you are not from Agni, I thought it best not to ask you to tattoo it.”

“I want to!” She cut him off. “I’ll do it, if you want me to.”

“Really?” Ten smiled. He was always touched by Y/N’s loving manner. She was his best companion, in any situation. Even when they could get in trouble, Y/N would not leave him alone. She preferred that they’d get scolded together than to leave him. “Then, as soon as we wake up, I’ll ask the monk to arrange everything.”

“I think I will have a charming ankle.” She stretched out one leg, moving close to where Ten wanted her most. “Oh, oops...” Y/N smirked, faking a shy laugh.

“Findi, findi.” He shook his head, matching her smirk.

“Let me make up for the distraction.” Y/N moved away as she lowered her hands to his pants, finishing unbuttoning them.

“Your wish is my command, findi.”

We’ll get lost together

Let me flow

Ten swallowed hard as soon as he felt her mouth kissing his abdomen. Y/N was not ashamed of trying to please him. She was always receptive and creative, making each time something very unique and very special. Unlike what was expected of an Air Princess – known for being more reserved and a little cold. Y/N had fire inside her. She burned like him… Burned with him. For him.

With her delicate fingers, Y/N removed Ten’s pants, and began her exploration on his belly, playing with the fine line of hair up to the underwear he was wearing. It was unusual for her to dedicate themselves so much to foreplay, but she was loving seeing Ten so mesmerized by her movements. Very gently, Y/N took him with one hand, going on with a lazy back and forth motion, just to make him double hard and more desperate. Her eyes found the glowing chestnut globes and she smirked, causing a burst of pleasure to break inside Ten, who moaned loudly.

That was enough for him. Blast trying to prolong the moment! He needed Y/N and he needed her now. Pulling her by the chin, they came face to face.

“I miss you,” The distance between their mouths became even smaller. “around me.”

The kiss began sweet, slow, but charged with lust. Both were already familiar with the delicious sensations that any scarce touch between them provided, but nothing compared to the anxiety build during foreplay. It was very, very good. Their bodies were tickling and hot, their hearts beating fast and their minds remembering all those times when they were together.

How glorious it was when they met.

It was a different, more intense sensation. Y/N didn’t understand why she wanted to cry and laugh out loud, like a crazy girl. The tossed their underwear out, surrendering to the bubbling desire. Ten put her hands on his shoulders and smiled warmly, making the frenzy an act of zeal. He leaned down to kiss her again, and from there, it was automatic. Y/N’s hip followed its own will and moved, showing exactly what it was looking for. The kiss became wet and some moans escaped not so quietly. Ten’s husky voice was the turning point for the princess.

“Come here.” He asked in a whisper.

Ten turned her on the bed and stood over her, waist between her legs. He entered without warning, fast and strong. A louder than expected groan left her throat, earning a chuckle mixed with a grunt from the prince. Y/N brought her hands to his back, dividing her attention between his shoulder blades and his dark, silky hair. With a love bite at the junction of her neck and shoulder, Ten started to move. Slow and intense, but picking up as the seconds passed by. Y/N already knew what to do to please him, so she devoted herself to his neck, trying to occupy her mouth with something other than “Oh, Ten” or scandalous moans. He grabbed one of her thighs and wrapped it around her waist, managing to reach deeper. Then, he was thrusting hard and fast. Y/N rolled her eyes and arched her back, forgetting about the whole world.

This was perfect.

Her stomach churned with several knots of pleasure, the peak of her orgasm reaching its maximum when Ten grabbed her face and kissed her urgently. Y/N felt the spasms in every cell, not knowing if she was able to enjoy her climax and kiss Ten at the same time. The prince continued to dive deeper until he too reached his release, making her want to get there again. Y/N slipped a hand to her swollen spot and began to rub it, tightening her muscles even more and listening to Ten’s sexy growls. And it worked.

Don’t ever let me come down from your love

From your love, from your love

☼ ⸛ ☼ ⸛ ☼

Ten examined his wife’s ankle, amused by the way she didn’t try to pretend that the tattoo was a “big deal”.

“I still don’t understand why you didn’t want to tell me that this was common in Agni.” She lowered her dress’ skirt. “It looks rather cute on my ankle, doesn’t it?”

“You look rather cute, indeed.”

“Not me, the tattoo you didn’t want to tell me about!” She grinned.

“Are we going to talk about this again?” He hugged her, placing a sweet kiss on her cheek. “Thank you, anyway, for accepting. I love you.”

“My pleasure.” Y/N waved her hand. “Love you more.”

Ten offered her a glass of water and a cookie, because she hadn’t eaten breakfast in her desperation to get the tattoo. The monk finished cleaning the room and excused himself, but as soon as he left, Ipek hurried in.

“Rani Y/N! Rani Y/N!”

“What is it, Ipek?” Y/N disengaged herself from Ten’s embrace and stood up.

“Samraat Bhima is here... And he didn’t come alone.” Ipek pointed to the window.

When she pulled the curtain, Y/N could see Vayu’s flags extending across a large part of the street, accompanied by some of Agni’s. She turned to Ten in a mixture of concern and joy. It was time to announce to the kingdoms what they had done. And to hope that love would be enough.

“Olum, findi, it looks like we have some nations to win back.” She grinned.

And hand in hand, they went out to face the nations of Air and Fire.

#ten scenarios #ten smut #nct scenarios #nct smut #wayv scenarios #wayv smut #superm scenarios #superm smut #nct ten #wayv ten #superm ten #ten chittaphon #chittaphon x reader #happytenday

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kacxa-fan · 5 years ago

Text

Costume Party

Request from @rorylum about Kacxa dressed as Big Barda and Mr. Miracle for a costume party!

___

Summary: Typically the two weren't ones for parties, especially those considered loud and flashy, but for the sake of pleasing their friends who kept insisting them to "take a break", they did so.

___

"But you have to! C'mon Acxa, it's just for one night! It'll be a good chance to clear your mind, then you can go back to stressing yourself out." Whined the pleading voice from across the line.

"Hmm, alright. Inform me of the whereabouts and time it would be most appropriate to visit."

"Wow, really? Awesome! Okay, so the party's at James's place around uh 9 p.m., got it?"

"Got it." Acxa responded, quickly jotting it down just in case she forgets due to all the clutter kept in her busy mind.

"Oh- How could I forget? It's also a costume party! So be sure to prep yourself up, k? Can't wait to see you~!"

"Wait. What is a-" the phone call ended "Oh Veronica..." she groaned.

Acxa avoided recalling her friend, deciding it be best to ask her significant other. She walked down the stairs and met him sitting on the couch, Kosmo lazily splayed about his lap. She took whatever was left of space on the furniture.

"Hey, got your work done yet?" Keith glanced over at her before returning his gaze to the TV as he switched through the channels.

"Not quite. I've decided to put work aside for a bit since Veronica asked me to come join her to a 'costume party'... Whatever that is."

"Huh? That's a surprise, but hey, it's nice to get out and destress. Also, a costume party?" He paused and tilted his head over to fully face her.

"If you will, please explain to me what the customs of this type of party are?"

Keith muted the TV, turning his full attention to her.

"Well, a costume party is basically a party where the guests dress up as whatever they'd like. Examples say being uhhh a monster or character from a show. Stuff like that."

"Like a disguise?"

"Yeah, like a disguise, but you don't really gotta fool anyone."

Acxa nodded, her hand reaching it's way over to Kosmo's ear.

"Very well, but what should we dress up as?"

"We?"

"Oh, I forgot to ask. It's just that I thought you'd like to join..."

"Or you'd feel a lot more comfortable if I joined you, huh?"

"Perhaps, that too..."

Keith chuckled, scooting closer to Acxa. He wrapped his arm around her waist and placed a kiss on her blushing cheek.

"I'm in!"

"Thank you, Keith."

"Mhm. Okay so costumes, uh we could be hmmm... Oh! I grew up really liking Batman, and I guess you could say Catwoman was his girlfriend? You'd rock a Catwoman, not gonna lie."

He pulled out his phone to search the duo up.

"Here, look. See?"

"Ah, how um interesting. As much as I'd like to say that she looks quite flattering, I can't help but notice how uncomfortable her outfit seems. Leather, is it?" She looked down the image "And high heeled boots?"

Acxa unconsciously took his phone from his hand, scrolling through the various images of the peculiar lady.

"Oh my, this is... suggestive?"

"Hahaaa, yeaaah." Keith muttered in slight embarrassment, scratching the back of his neck.

"Is that a whip? Her weapon?"

"Okayyy! That's enough lookin' her up. Let's say we think of another couple, if you're not sure about this one, k?"

The two huddled closer as Keith offered various other options. Somehow Acxa always seemed to pick at one or the other, more so fascinated and weirded out by the outfit. Time ticked by as Keith grew tired. They ended up with few ideas.

He blew out a puff of air, "Uhm welp here's these two. Superheroes. Named Big Barda and Mr. Miracle?"

Acxa, again, took the phone. Her eyes dilating at the bright colors.

"Guess it's a no too?"

She shook her head, "No, I actually find it suitable. Considering that I am the tallest out of us both. Also, we are running out of time, no?"

Keith rolled his eyes playfully, although their height difference was never much of a bother for them.

"My only complaint is the bold colors. Other than that, it looks to be comfortable enough. Don't you think?"

"As long as you're sure, I'll settle for it."

What Acxa wasn't aware of is that Keith was not necessarily looking forward to wearing such a thing, as it was not his sort of style. In fact, this duo's fit was nothing of their style, but nonetheless they agreed to it.

---

"Here we are. Ready to show off?"

"Just a moment. I think my cape got tangled."

Keith and Acxa exited their car, pinkies hooking and having nervous talk about their suits. They entered the apartment complex, scanning the numbers of each door.

"Here it is! Ready?"

"What other choice is there..."

Keith knocked, and low and behold, James answered.

"HEY! ACXA AND... KEITH? NO WAY! THAT'S PRETTY FUNNY SEEING YOU TWO HERE. ESPECIALLY WEARING THOSE!" He shouted as the commotion of the dark yet colorfully lit room dazed the visitors viewing it. The brunette took his time looking the deadpanned couple up, incapable of holding his growing amusement.

"WELL, COME ON IN! THE GANG'S JUST RIGHT OVER AT THE POOL TABLE."

Keith took the lead, holding a hand out for Acxa to follow. Acxa examined the area, taking notice to the strange figures, assuming that some were not human at all, but actual aliens to Earth such as herself. She heard the booming and perked her ears, worried that a fight involving weaponry was taking place. Hesitantly, she took his hand and stepped foot into the strange presence. They walked behind James as cautiously as they could, with the few bumps here and there from strangers in all sorts of display.

"KEITH, IS THIS WHAT ALL PARTIES ARE LIKE? GOODNESS WH- OH, FORGIVE ME!" Acxa hollered.

"NOT ALL, BUT WHEN IT'S RUN BY PEOPLE LIKE JAMES, THEN YEAH. PRETTY MUCH."

Finally straying away from the crowd and their noise, the trio were reintroduced to their friends.

"Aw Acxa, and Keith~! Glad you actually came. I was beginning to think you'd bail out on us and this fun!" Veronica hugged her confused friend.

"Why yes, I would never do such a thing. Although, I would have to disagree with you on how this could be 'fun'." Acxa responded, massaging her ears.

"Oh there you go again blurting out your opinion without a care. Typical Acxa-"

"Our Acxa!" Veronica consoled James by patting his back playfully.

The rest of the MFE group exchanged their greetings.

"So, Acxa. You think this ain't at all fun? I'll make it my mission to prove ya wrong!" Nadia spun back to the others, "Right guys? Everyone come on and join us!"

"Sure, sounds fine by me." Said Veronica.

"I mean, I'm kinda busy on keeping check who's at the door cause this is my place-"

"Don't worry about it, Jamesy! Someone else can take care of that stuff. Spend time with us and quit looking around for a girl to dance with and hopefully date~"

Veronica and Nadia shared a smug smirk towards the now heated boy. Ina simply shook her head in shame.

"If you'd like, may I offer you all to a game of cards?" Ina asked.

"Cards?" Acxa tilted her head.

"What kind of ga-"" Keith was cut off.

"CARDS?! Inaaa sweetie, again?" The blue haired, hyper girl whined.

"Shush Nadia, there's nothing wrong with playing some more. Plus, I think it's a great way to show Acxa how a party can be fun!" Veronica stated, pulling Acxa and Keith to the table as the rest soon followed in.

After this "boring" and time consuming game, Nadia was sure to introduce her alien friend to a whole variety of other party activities.

Some not so appropriate to her friend's taste, that is.

___

Hours passed, around four. At least, that's what Acxa assumed. It was quite dark afterall.

Clumsily, she walked, or rather stumbled, her way back to the snack table. Her eyes dilating as her gaze lingered from item to item, looking for that deliciously red-colored juice. To be honest, she didn't really think it to be that good, terrible actually, but nonetheless she had the urge to engulf her system with some more. This beverage was making her feel... happy anyways.

"Acxa? Acxa-" Keith trotted to his girlfriend. He rested his hand on the small of her back, looking over to see her pouting face. How cute.

"...Ac-?"

"No, nooo, nooooo! There's no more *hiccup* juiceee!" Acxa aimed to pound her hand onto the table, but instead missed and hit Keith's stomach area. She turned around at the sudden sound.

"Ow. Acxa are you-"

He felt her cold finger poke his lips. She giggled childishly. Her toothy smile making the man blush almost uncomfortably. She looked so happy, and he knew well that it was not exactly in her control.

"You're... I think you look very handsome~! Do I *hiccup* know you... from somewhere?"

"Yes, yes you do. I'm your boyfriend, remember? Keith." He couldn't help but chuckle.

She looked up and stared at nothing in particular, thinking.

"Keith. Oh yes! I remember you, I think."

"I sure hope so. It'll suck if you don't and I lose my beautiful girlfriend."

"Aw, you're too kind, sir." Acxa bashfully covered part of her smiley face with her hand. So cute.

"Really looks like Nadia did her job, huh? How much did you drink?"

"Hmmm, I estimate around 57 *hiccup* cups? No wait, maybe it was 70..."

Keith was shocked. Then again, he was dating a 6 foot something to 7 foot girl from another planet. He should've been surprised more at the fact that Earth alcohol even had an affect on her.

"Wow, ahaha! That's enough for you then. Let's say we go back home and go to sleep. I'm beat and this party is getting crazier by the minute." He took her hand and tugged her to, again, follow him.

"Waaait~! Not yet! I wanna say bye to my *hiccup* friendsss!" Acxa protested and limped herself back.

Keith sighed, "Ina told me to say goodbye for her to you a while ago. Veronica went out earlier too. Nadia's passed out black on the couch. And James is... eh whatever who gives a damn."

"Nadia? Passed out! Is she okay? She's not okay! I need to help her- Let me go help!"

Great.

"Woah woah calm down, baby. Nadia's okay. She's with a few other girls watching over her. Trust me?" Keith wrapped his arms around her frantic self.

"Always have, always will." She puffed.

"Good. Thanks for that. Now, ready to go?"

"M'kayyy~!"

___

AN: Gee, look who's back. 🤡

#keith x acxa #keith #acxa #kacxa #vld ships #voltron: legendary defender

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illegalsouniverse · 5 years ago

Text

Raea Cordelia&Fox: Intro

Birth Name: Raea Cordelia

Born: 48 BBY

Species: Human

Homeworld: Stewjon (Location: Stewjon System)

Occupation: Senator in the Galactic Republic, representing the Stewjon system - (including the planet of Colstev)

Affiliations: The Cordelia Family, Galactic Republic, Refugee Relief Movement, Loyalist Committee, Resistance Movement of Stewjon, Resistance Movement of Colstev, Representatives for Unity Program, Intergalactic Relations Committee, People for the Fight Against Colonization, Coruscant Advisory Committee, Movement to End Galactic Hunger, Preservation of the Galactic Arts Committee, Movement to-

“Maker, how many damn committees and movements is this girl a part of?”

“Easy, Commander.” Thorn chuckled as he set down the cup of caf he’d brought up for his vod. “That’s a senator you’re talking about.”

Fox had to physically stop his eyes from rolling into the back of his head. He was a Coruscanti guardsman, an elite shock trooper, the best of the best. And yet here he was reading through the file and preparing for his next assignment: babysitting duty. The Chancellor had signed off on the orders himself. Senator Cordelia was apparently unorthodox, loud about her opinions, and unyielding in her ideologies. She spoke out against the Separatists, the Trade Federation, even some of the other Senators in the Republic. Because of this she was one of the biggest targets in the Galactic Senate.

“I can’t believe they have you on guard duty for one measly senator.” Thorn briefly looked over the file laid out on Fox’s desk, his eyes growing wide at the list of affiliations his Commander had been referring to. He let out a low whistle.

Fox couldn’t agree more. “Word is she’s been receiving death threats from all over. The Separatists aren’t exactly being quiet about their feelings toward her.”

“But why you?”

He’d been asking himself that question as well. He told Thorn the same thing he’d been telling himself since finding out about the assignment. “I honestly have no clue.”

“Here’s to finding out, I guess.” Thorn lifted his cup of caf before downing the rest of it.

---

They were supposed to meet the Senator more than twenty minutes ago. The instructions had been absolutely crystal clear: the Guardsmen were to meet with the Senator in her personal residence on Coruscant where they would escort her to and from her meetings and then Fox was to stay with her throughout all of her visits on Coruscant.

The Senator was late. Fox didn’t like late. Late stressed him out, made him anxious, forced his brain to create various scenarios in which he failed to do his job correctly. Late didn’t work for Fox.

He was just about to comm Thorn, who was assigned to protect the Chancellor since Fox was reassigned for the time being, when the doors to the room slid open. In walked two female humans, one dressed professionally and carrying a datapad while listing off times and names - meetings, Fox deciphered. The other one was dressed elegantly and she strode into the room without a care, barely bothering to glance at the Guards around her. It seemed more over that she hadn’t noticed them rather than that she was actively ignoring them.

“Ugh, cancel the 3 o’clock with Palpatine,” Fox nearly choked at the improper use of the Chancellor’s surname from the girl, who the hell did she think she- “and find out if we can squeeze in a late lunch with Padme or Bail. They’ve been drafting a new trade agreement and I thought Stewjon might benefit from Alder- Dove, who are these people and why are they in my flat?” She stuck her arm out to stop the two of them from walking any further into the room.

“This is your Guard that the Chancellor was, uhm, nice enough to assign to you.”

“Why would I need guards?”

“I told you this last week, the Separatists-”

“I thought that was a joke! Why did you let me laugh?!”

“Raea- Senator Cordelia- ehm,” the girl stumbled over her words, “it’s for your protection. The Separatists have been more open about their threats lately.”

The Senator rolled her eyes. Fox watched her closely as she strode across the room, throwing her shoes off and shedding the fancy silk robe that looked like it cost more than the flat they stood in. Dove caught the robe as it almost hit the ground and laid it across the large couch the Senator had now draped herself onto.

“Senator-” Fox began to speak but was interrupted by the woman in question.

“Dove, call up the Chancellor immediately and tell him I do not need a babysitter.”

Fox almost scoffed. He couldn’t agree more. But this was his job, and hell if she thought she was going to interfere with that. He had orders to follow.

“I’m sorry, she’s been up since early this morning and she hasn’t had any caf-” the PA, Dove, tried to apologize but Fox was barely listening.

“Trust me, Senator, I have no desire to babysit you anymore than you’d like to be babysat. But with the Separatists’ threats rolling in and the recent riots in the lower sectors, the Chancellor has put me in charge of making sure you’re kept safe from any threats.” Fox was smug in his reply. He’d been assigned to protect Senators before but not pretty much permanently like he had this time, and definitely not to one that seemed so-

“And trust me, Commander, everyday I wake up and argue with a bunch of grown men three times my age about tariffs and trade and planetary negotiations, all the while they mansplain and act like I have ‘so much to learn’ because I’m a young girl who’s only had this position for a short period of time. So the last thing I want is to come back to my home and argue with another grown man about what is and isn’t safe for me. The Separatists have never liked me, because I’ve never liked them and I’ve made that abundantly clear numerous times. Their threats on my life are not new to me. As for the so-called riots in the lower sectors, I have nothing to fear over a cause I fight for on the Senate floor.”

Bratty.

“You what?” Thire spoke out of turn, something Fox would have to scold him over later. Though he had asked precisely what Fox had wanted to as well. “You support those people?”

“Those people are ignored day in and day out by the government that has done nothing to help them. They struggle for fair wages and good working conditions all the while dealing with hunger and poverty the deeper into the core you get. Meanwhile the Republic spends money on an army it has no business owning-

“That army is fighting to win this war-” Fox shot back.

“Well I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news but there are no winners in war, just those who profit off of it and those who pay its price.”

“And which one would that make you, Senator?”

“I’ve fought to help those displaced and destroyed by the war. Believe me when I say I wish my system could remain neutral.”

“Then why don’t you? If you don’t like the Senate and you don’t like the Separatists it seems there’s only one option left.”

“How naive you are to think any of us have an option-”

“Ok!” Dove laughed nervously and yanked at her Senator’s arm, pulling her away from Fox - who was just noticing how close they’d been. The phrase right at each other’s throats had never been more literal. “Remember you have that….uh, meeting in thirty minutes with, uhhh, Senator-Senator... Mothma! Senator Mothma! Yes, and you have to get ready for it.”

Fox watched the Senator grumble under her breath as her PA led her away from the guards and into an adjacent room that Fox could only assume was her bedroom.

He didn’t like her. Not in the slightest. She was a privileged, spoiled, rude, bratty little outspoken, know-it-all, smart-ass, obnoxiously gorgeous-

“Commander?” It was the PA again. She stood in the doorway of the Senator’s private room. “We will be leaving in just a few moments. If you had any procedures to go through I would do them now.”

“Finish them quickly! I’d like to get going immediately!” The Senator’s voice was a muffled yell, like there was a barrier between them. She came out of the room not a few seconds later wearing a completely different outfit. How she managed to change so quickly he had no idea. Where she looked more regal before she now looked like any typical civvie off the street, albeit Fox would be able to spot her face easily in a crowd but that had nothing, nothing at all, to do with the fact that she held a different kind of beauty to her. That wasn’t his opinion, of course it wasn’t it was just a fact, or at least that’s what he told himself.

Fox huffed and motioned for Thire and Stone. They took that as the go-ahead to do a quick sweep of the hallway and lift.

“Some rules before we leave here, Senator Cordelia.” Fox watched the girl roll her eyes but choose to ignore her for the sake of time and energy. “Thire and Stone will be running sweeps before we exit and enter buildings. I’ll be at your side constantly. Don’t stop to talk to anyone, and don’t ask questions if I tell you to do something. Our top priority is your safety, as far as I’m concerned everyone is a threat until I’ve deemed otherwise.”

Senator Cordelia’s face scrunched into a mixture of annoyance and confusion. “Maker, you’re so dramatic. At my side constantly? And what if I have to use the refresher, Commander? What about when I have to bathe or change or sleep? Are you going to be there then? Should we get comfortable with each other now since we’re going to be oh so close it would seem?” She wore a smirk like a crown. With total and utter confidence.

Fox stopped something like a growl from creeping up his throat. She was going to be handful. Thire commed in to let him know it was all clear. “Let’s get moving.”

He moved the Senator and her PA into the lift quickly. When they reached the bottom they were met with Thire and Stone who walked behind them while Fox walked at the Senator’s side. Dove was messing with her datapad and Senator Cordelia was wearing that little smirk that wouldn’t seem to leave her face since they’d left her living quarters. They were out of the building and almost to the enclosed blasterproof Republic airspeeder.

Fox’s focus was broken by Stone’s modulated voice. “Sir! There’s been a security breach on the ground level.”

The actions came natural to Fox. He hardly had to think about them before the orders were leaving his mouth. “Get the Senator into the airspeeder. Thire, you’re with me. Stone, stay out here. Make sure no one gets too close.” Senator Cordelia and Dove were maneuvered into the speeder at the same moment Thire and Fox made a break for the building they’d just left.

They’d searched the entire ground floor, three times over even, but nothing came up.

“Must’ve been a system glitch. I’ll have someone check it out and reboot the systems before we come back.” Thire shrugged.

Something wasn’t right. Fox could feel it in his bones. “Get them to do a perimeter and ground sweep again before we return. Something’s off. Nothing is ever really nothing where the Republic is concerned.”

They’d made it back to Stone, who hadn’t moved from the spot they’d left him in.

“Nothing?” Fox questioned him, but Stone just shrugged. “Ugh. Let’s get going then.”

The airspeeder doors opened and Fox felt his blood run cold. If his heart had the capability to stop beating it would’ve. The inevitable migraine he was expecting had come much earlier than he thought. Fox didn’t fail. He did his job and he did it well. He was top of his class, never missed the slightest of details, hell they called him the “sly fox” for a reason. He was the head of the Coruscant's Elite Guard for a reason, he’d earned that title. But this...this was like nothing he’d ever dealt with before.

The datapad, the same on Dove - the damned PA - had been using shined bright, blinking bright red text that read: I THOUGHT YOU SAID AT MY SIDE CONSTANTLY, COMMANDER? The little animated emoji with his tongue sticking out didn’t do anything to quell his growing anger. Flashbacks played through his head of Dove stumbling over her words about the meeting with Senator Mothma, Dove messing with her datapad before they exited the building, Senator Cordelia smirking at her PA. Fierfek, she hadn’t even argued with them when they shoved her into the airspeeder.

He glanced through the airspeeder at the door on the opposite side. It’s window was completely open, wide enough for someone to climb right through it. Or someones. Two of them to be exact. Those sly little-

“Commander? What should we do?” Stone’s voice was nerve-wracked. He was supposed to be watching them, he didn’t expect they’d sneak off themselves.

Fox grumbled to himself before giving them orders. “Search the immediate surrounding areas. I want surveillance cams pulled from all street corners. We find the Senator first, no one can know she’s out without security or protection.” He waited for them to nod before yelling. “Go! Now!”

Yeah, she was definitely going to be a handful.

“Kriff.”

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roslinadama-sinequanon · 5 years ago

Text

Saying Good-Bye to Yesterday-Chapter 11

So, yes it’s been forever and day. I haven’t dropped off the planet or quit writing for Shandy. It just got difficult for a while.

You can find the chapter here https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13004092/11/Saying-Good-Bye-to-Yesterday and here https://archiveofourown.org/works/15321687/chapters/53083987 and here

****

"Hey, hon." Andy paused in buttoning his shirt at the greeting, his lips curving into a smile when he took in Sharon's disheveled appearance as she entered their bedroom, fresh from a workout, spandex shorts clinging to her long toned thighs, loose tendrils of hair slipping out of her high ponytail.

"How was the Barre class?" He asked.

"It wasn't Barre. It was Spin." Over the past few months, Amy had convinced her to start taking spin classes with her, adding to her usual regimen of Body Barre, Pilates, and Yoga.

"Well, how was Spin?"

"Ugh." She pulled the sweaty racerback tank over her head. "Jelly legs."

"Gorgeous legs," he corrected.

"Yes, well, that takes work, darling." Though she ate healthily, for the most part, was supple, naturally active, and thanks to genetics and a great metabolism, didn't have to fight hard to maintain her slender figure, she exercised to keep toned and fit. In addition to the classes she attended when her schedule allowed, she swam laps almost every day, did some light weights at the PD gym, and also got out to Malibu to a riding stable as often as she could. When she first mentioned her horseback riding to Andy as a full-body workout, he gave her a typical Andy quip, "for the horse, right? " She'd ignored the comment until she could prove her point. One afternoon she'd taken him on what he referred to as a "ball crushing" ride, and he'd sheepishly eaten his words. Later still, when they'd become intimate and he'd felt those "thighs of steel" around his waist, he'd come to an even greater appreciation of that "full-body" exercise.

"Well, I'm pretty gross right now, so I'm going to hop in the shower." She pulled off her sports bra and wiped at the sweat under her breasts before dropping it in the hamper and disappearing into the bathroom. When she emerged 15 minutes later, she had one towel wrapped around her torso, the other turban-style around her head.

"Don't forget, I have book club tonight," she said.

"Yeah, I'm gonna hit a meeting."

She glanced up sharply from her dresser, a pair of rose-colored panties dangling from her fingertips. "Everything okay?"

Though her tone remained neutral, Andy picked up the tiny inflection of worry. It wasn't his usual meeting night. "Yeah, everything's fine," he assured her. "I had to skip last week because of our case, and I haven't gotten the chance to talk to Isaac."

"About us?"

"Yes."

Once in her fresh panties, Sharon shimmied on a pair of black leggings that she paired with a long, slouchy v-neck cashmere sweater in a soft shade of blush. To finish off the casual outfit, she slipped on a pair of two-tone quilted Chanel ballet flats, big silver hoop earrings, and a silver cuff bracelet. Andy continued to watch her dress. Watching her shed her professional persona for her personal one was kind of a ritual for him. At work, she was all fitted, classic, sleek lines. Understated and sophisticated. At home, her wardrobe was softer and a little more eclectic. Even her jewelry was different. At work, simple diamond studs in her ears and her watch, no bracelets, no necklaces, no dangling earrings. At home, she often wore pretty bracelets, hoops or dangling earrings, and a variety of necklaces, including the crucifix she never wore to work. Separation of church and state and all. He asked her once why she stopped wearing necklaces when she took over Major Crimes. After expressing surprise that he had actually noticed that, she told him that Brenda had warned her that wearing a necklace when interviewing suspects was dangerous because they could use it to try to strangle her. Given the violent animosity their former Chief seemed to bring out in suspects, he figured she was speaking from experience. Probably a good idea that he wore his sobriety necklace tucked in under his shirt. He was pretty sure there were hundreds of suspects over the years who would have loved nothing more than to strangle him.

A half-hour later, with her hair blown dry and her make up re-applied, Sharon came out of the bedroom to see Andy slipping on his jean jacket as he prepared to head out. Rusty was sitting on the couch on his laptop.

"You boys are on your own for supper tonight," she reminded the two.

"Okay. " Rusty glanced up. "What do you want to do, Andy?"

"I have a meeting, so I thought I could pick something up for us on my way home. Want a pizza from Palermo's?"

"Just make sure my half isn't loaded down with veggies."

Andy rolled his eyes. "No veggies. Got it."

Sharon smiled and started to reach for the Trader Joes bag she'd left on the table.

"I've got that, babe." Andy took the heavy bag and followed her out the door. Not so long ago, she might have bristled at the move and argued that she could carry the bag herself, but Andy knew that. It was simply a gentlemanly act of kindness, and she no longer looked for any sort of underlying misogynistic meaning to his kind gestures.

******

The strong smell of flowers hit Sharon just outside the storefront, and she glanced up at the pretty awning hanging over the doorway. "Lotions and Potions," her friend Summer's bath and body shop in Mar Vista. She opened the door, and the floral and spicy scents grew more pronounced. Taking a few steps in, she scanned the room, looking past the displays of soaps, bath salts, body creams, and lotions to see Summer with a customer over in the incense and essential oil section. The little bell that jangled at her entry drew Summer's attention, and when she glanced over and saw who it was, she gave Sharon a smile and a hand gesture indicating that she would be with her in a minute. Sharon nodded and began browsing, lifting and examining the vintage apothecary jars Summer used to carry her product. The old-fashioned jars and antique-looking sepia labels with their intricate designs and calligraphy lettering harkened back to another era as if she was stepping back in time.

Several years ago, this had been a New Age jewelry and clothing store where Summer worked as a clerk. Summer fit right in with today's millenials, often flitting from job to job, but for as long as Sharon had known her, she grew herbs and made homemade soaps and lotions in her house, selling her creations on the weekends at craft fairs and farmer's markets. Then Anabel, the storeowner, allowed her to put a few samples out for sale at the store, and they were a big hit. Soon she had a whole product line for sale. When Anabel decided to sell the store, the first person she approached was Summer, which had taken Summer completely by surprise. She was an artist, after all, not a businesswoman. I mean sure, she practically managed the store, but what did she know about running a business? At least that's what she said to Sharon when they were talking out the pros and cons. It was a moot point, anyway. Summer didn't have the kind of money needed to start a business.

But Sharon did. When her grandparents died, she was bequeathed quite a large inheritance. Some of the money was in a trust, but she had more than enough to lend Summer for the start-up costs. Summer hadn't seen it that way. It had been a battle royal for Sharon to get her best friend to agree to the loan. The very idea of it terrified Summer. What if she didn't succeed? What if she couldn't pay Sharon back? Sharon had gone through hell digging out of the mess Jack created for her financially, and she didn't want to see her have to deal with anything like that again. And most of all, she didn't want the money coming between them. Their friendship was too important. But Sharon prevailed. They worked it all out, with Sharon as an investor, and then they worked together to make Summer's vision become a reality.

The quirky little store was a reflection of its quirky little owner, and it was a hit. Situated only a few miles from both Venice Beach and Santa Monica, it drew in both the unconventional crowd and the well-to-do. Summer paid Sharon back several years ago, but Sharon still took pride in all that she had helped her friend accomplish here.

Grabbing a bottle of her favorite vanilla/jasmine body cream, Sharon glanced back around to see that Summer was still engrossed in conversation with her customer, her light brown curls bouncing on her shoulders with every enthusiastic nod of her head. Rather than stand around waiting, she decided to make her way to Summer's office in the back of the store. She pushed aside the beads that hung in the doorway, in lieu of an actual door, giving a loud sigh at the chaos. As usual, Summer's desk was filled with clutter: folders, papers, coffee mugs, and a bunch of opened boxes. No way could she ever work surrounded by such a mess. In fact, she could already feel the prickles of anxiety at the very idea. She started to move things around to make a spot to set her bag down when an item in one of the boxes caught her eye. Reaching in, she pulled it out, eyes widening with both surprise and curiosity.

"Find anything you like?"

Sharon jumped, nearly dropping the glass object. "Dammit, Summer! "

Summer's wide grin grew even wider. "Gotcha. Either you're losing your cop instincts, or that object holds more than a little interest for you."

"What is it?"

"If I have to tell you, Andy has a real problem."

Sharon flushed. "I know what it is; I just mean why do you have boxes of this stuff?"

"That stuff, as you call it, is luxury personal care products. "

One elegant brow rose skeptically. "Luxury? They're…"

"Glass dildos."

"And again, you have boxes of these, why?"

"I had a distributor come in for a meeting today. She wants me to try selling her line here."

"You're going to sell sex toys? Here? At Lotions and Potions?" Sharon looked so appalled that Summer had to giggle.

"No, I am possibly going to sell luxury personal care items. I told her I would think about it. It's a big and pretty lucrative business right now. Look at them, Sharon, they're works of art."

Sharon looked again at the item in her hand, eyeing it critically. Blown glass with swirls of color, graceful lines. She had to admit, it really did look like a piece of art.

"Much more attractive than the real thing. Am I right?"

Sharon gave a little snort-laugh. "Oh my God, you're right. It is. Though we better not let the guys hear us say that."

"God, no. Men do love their penises, don't they?"

"Mmm…" Sharon hummed affirmatively.

"Almost as much as they love our boobs."

Sharon shook her head with amused affection and another little snort-laugh. She never quite knew what was going to come out of Summer's mouth. In that respect, and in so many more, they were as different as night and day. Oil and water. Chalk and cheese.

Summer was as outgoing and irreverent as Sharon was private and respectful. As unconventional and flighty as Sharon was traditional and responsible. As loud and boisterous, as Sharon was soft-spoken and reserved.

Summer was thrift store boho gauzy tops, flowing skirts, Birkenstocks, and arms covered in bangle bracelets. Sharon was Neiman Marcus pencil skirts, Armani suits, killer heels, and diamond earrings. Summer lifted her arms in worship to the winter solstice while Sharon knelt in reverent prayer at midnight mass. Summer was homeschooling and a childhood spent on a commune. Sharon was private Catholic schools and summers on Nantucket. Summer was Stevie Nicks to Sharon's Grace Kelly.

And yet, they clicked. For 26 years, they had been best friends. From the day that Sharon and Jack moved into their new home in Mar Vista and a bossy little child knocked on their door stating, "I'm five. Do you have any little girls my age I can play with?" With baby Ricky on her hip, Sharon smiled at the little ragamuffin with Popsicle lips and a mop of brown curls and then introduced her to a bashful four-year-old Emily. Within seconds, a harried woman in a tank top and an Indian wrap skirt straight out of the 1970s followed. Since she shared the same wild head of curls with the little moppet now dragging Emily along by the hand, Sharon assumed she was her mother. Indeed, the woman said she was looking for her daughter and, like Sharon, she too had a diapered little boy resting against her shoulder. Sharon introduced herself then invited the gypsy looking woman in for a cup of coffee. It was the beginning of three very important friendships: Sharon and Summer, Emily and Jade, and Ricky and Cody.

Despite their differences in background, personality, and temperament, the two young women easily found common ground. Their kids were the same age, they both loved the arts, and they were both in difficult marriages. Their bond was quick and strong. They spent their days off from work building sandcastles with their kids at the beach, pushing swings at the park, or attending children's reading circles at the library. They babysat for each other, swapped books, and on those rare occasions when they had time for themselves, browsed through art galleries, bookstores, and museums together. Most importantly, since neither had extended family in Los Angeles, they created a much-needed support system for each other. And that was something that became increasingly important, because, within a few years, they were both on their own. Single parents.

Summer came across as flaky, but she was everything Sharon needed in a friend: supportive, warm, honest, and a strong shoulder to cry on-one of a very select group of people whom Sharon allowed to see her vulnerability. They had journeyed together through all the difficulties and heartaches life threw at them, helping each other raise their children, bucking each other up when things seemed bleak, and sharing in each other's joy as they each found success in their professions and new love. From breast-feeding to hot flashes, they had seen each other through it all.

"So, " Summer continued. "Go ahead and take whatever you like. I know you're not a prude. Try one out and let me know what you think."

"I'm good." Sharon placed the item back in the box with a little quirk of her lips. "I've got the real thing now."

"Yeah, well what about these? Could be fun." Summer dangled a pair of handcuffs.

"Again, I've got the real thing."

"Pfff… Those things would hurt. These are love cuffs. Nice and soft. See." Sharon admired the plush cuffs Summer thrust in her face, faux fur with little tiny bows, definitely not standard LAPD gear, but shook her head negatively. "I'm all set." She glanced down at her watch. "Come on, Sum. We really have to get going or we're going to be late."

"Oh, no, we wouldn't want to be late."

Sharon rolled her eyes, ignoring the sarcasm. Fate had surrounded her with smart asses. "No, we wouldn't. So, let's go."

"Okay, okay, don't get your panties in a wad. Just promise me you'll think about it."

Sharon blew out a long-suffering sigh. "Fine, I'll think about it, now let's go."

*****

Sitting in the back corner of the bookstore, Sharon found herself center stage, surrounded by a group of women gushing with excitement over the diamond on her finger, grabbing her hand to look at it and pumping her for all the details of the proposal.

"It's so beautiful, Sharon. " Aggie's eyes went dreamy, her hands in a prayer triangle under her chin, lost in the fairytale of Sharon's proposal. "And how romantic. I can just picture it…A winter wonderland. A romantic sleigh ride through the woods and Andy down on one knee professing his undying love for you-" She broke off, swiftly coming back to reality when everyone burst into laughter. "What?" She defended herself. "I love romance."

"As if we didn't know," Marina scoffed. Whenever it was Aggie's turn to pick their monthly book, it was invariably a romance of some sort.

"Hey, I thought Russians were supposed to have romantic souls." Aggie's protest was made in the soft New Orleans drawl she hadn't lost despite having lived in LA for the past 20 years.

"I had one of those…Four husbands ago." Marina, a ballerina, had defected to the United States in the late seventies and had later opened a ballet studio in LA after retiring from the stage. Sharon met her when she signed Emily up for lessons at her studio after her young daughter had become more serious about studying dance and outgrown her instructor. It was Marina who had seen the talent and drive in Emily and helped her become the principal ballerina she was today. Marina was also cynical and pragmatic and went through men, mostly younger men, the way Andy used to go through younger women.

"Don't listen to her," Sharon said. "You're right, Aggie, Andy couldn't have picked a more romantic way to propose. Hard to believe I found a man whose sense of occasion can actually rival mine. It's certainly a night I will never forget."

"I still can't believe Andy took Gavin to help pick out your ring and not me," Summer sulked. The room went silent, all the women turning to her with wide eyes before erupting in giggles. "What?" She held her hand's open palms up and shrugged in a "what the hell" gesture.

Rachel, a pretty blonde, responded. "Come on, Sum, when it comes to style, there is nobody, other than maybe Roz here, who is more opposite from Sharon than you."

"I'd take exception to that if it weren't 100% true," was Roz's good-natured response. A writer for a comedy sitcom, Roz was notoriously sloppy in her dress, preferring the sweatpants, t-shirts and Converse sneakers she was wearing right now to any other attire. When she was forced to wear something nice, she chose boxy male suits and would never be caught dead in a "girlie" skirt or dress.

"I don't think we're that opposite." Summer's protest drew more peals of laughter.

"Summer…" Rachel lifted her friend's skirt, smirking when she exposed plastic clogs. "You are wearing Crocs. Need I say more?"

"There's nothing wrong with Crocs. They're comfortable." Summer pushed her skirt back over her shoes.

"No offense, I love you to pieces, but they're fugly and Sharon wouldn't be caught dead out in public in them." With her sleek dark blonde bob and stylish clothes, Rachel Garner had far more in common when shopping with Sharon than Summer. Like Andrea, Rachel was a lawyer, now an advisor to Mayor Garcetti. She and Sharon had become friends back when Sharon was promoted to the LAPD's Women's Coordinator position and they had worked together on numerous cases.

"What I don't understand is why you want to get married in the first place. I mean you just got out of a bad marriage, why jump right back in?" The room went silent, this time with tension, not humor. Roz sat back, arms crossed over her chest, seemingly unconcerned by the group's collective disapproval.

"What the hell are you talking about?" It was Summer who quickly jumped to Sharon's defense. "Just out of a bad marriage? She's been done with that ungrateful, immature, disloyal prick for 23 freaking years! Just because she only formally divorced him a couple of years ago doesn't mean-"

"Summer," Sharon tugged on her friend's arm. "It's okay, calm down."

"It's not okay; she has no right to say that. You," she pointed a finger at Roz, "have no idea what she went through. You've known her for what? Four years? You have no right to question her choices. And just because you hate men doesn't mean she has to feel the same."

"Okay, okay, whoa. I didn't mean to start World War III." Roz held her hands up in defeat. "And for the record, I don't hate men. Well, all men anyway. I'm just saying, she doesn't need a man…a husband."

"Roz is right." Sharon agreed, taking a sip of her wine.

"What?" Summer turned to her with confusion.

"She's right. I don't need a man. But I can want one without needing him. And you know what? That makes this the purest relationship I have ever been in, ever. I don't need Andy's money, I don't need his security, I don't need his protection, I don't need him to provide shelter for me, I'm not looking for a father for my children. I am with Andy for one reason only. I love him. It's as easy and as simple as that. I love him and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. And yes, I want the formal commitment of marriage. I know I don't need it, but I want it. And that's my choice." She tapped her fingers on her chest, stressing the point. "I am at a place in my life right now where I can do what I want to do, not what I need to do, and you have no idea how much freedom there is in that for me."

"And we're thrilled for you." Summer's narrowed eyes shot daggers at Roz, causing Sharon to suppress a smile. Summer was about as laid back a person as she knew, however, one thing they did have in common was that you didn't mess with the people they love.

"Yes, we are." Patrice set a gentle hand on Sharon's knee. "Andy is a great guy, and he loves you to the moon and back." As Andy's caregiver while he was recovering from his surgery, Patrice had gotten to know the man and the way he felt about Sharon better than any of them.

Andrea nodded in agreement. "You all know how I feel about marriage, but hell, if I had a guy who looked at me the way Flynn looks at Sharon, who knows?"

Aggie, who had gone off to pilfer through the shelves, returned and flopped down in an oversized chair. She opened the small book she'd been looking for and began reading. "To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."

"That's C.S Lewis, isn't it? " Sharon recognized the passage from having read a lot of Lewis's work.

Aggie nodded. "From The Four Loves."

"Well, he sums it up rather nicely, doesn't he? " Sharon poured a little more wine in her glass, then sat back. "Loving someone is a risk, no doubt about it, but I will always believe that it is a risk worth taking." She was well aware of how easy it would have been to encase her heart in one of those caskets after Jack, to allow herself to become unreachable. But that just wasn't in her DNA. Barriers, yes, she had certainly erected some of those, but closed off completely? No. She simply had too much love inside her to shut down like that. She knew people often thought she was cold, aloof, unemotional. They never knew it was all a façade, a shield meant to hide the fact that she actually felt things very deeply. She'd had to learn how to contain those emotions, to hide her feelings, but they were there, they were always there. And, had she entombed her heart, she never would have been able to let Rusty in, nor been able to embrace the man who had become the love of her life. Vulnerable? Yes, love made you vulnerable, but the rewards far outweighed any risk.

"I agree, we all need to remain open to love. Now, who's hungry?" Helen, the owner of the bookstore, set to restore order to their opinionated little group. "We'll eat, then dive into the book."

Sharon shot the older woman a grateful look. They might all be friends, but she had never really been comfortable with people dissecting her life.

The food was potluck. Each member of the club took a turn hosting the meeting, but it was always potluck so no one was stuck having to feed the whole group. At the end of each meeting, they drew out of a hat to see if they would be bringing the beverages, an appetizer, or an entrée to the next meeting. Though it wasn't a rule, they often tried to base whatever food they brought on the setting of their book. The only part of the meal they did not draw for was dessert. Mary Agnes Boudreaux McCormack, Aggie, always brought dessert. Twenty years ago, Aggie had moved to Los Angeles after Craig McCormack walked into her bakery in New Orleans and swept the 37-year-old widow off her feet, taking her home with him to California. Aggie opened a pretty little bed and breakfast near Venice Beach and brought with her the French and Creole delicacies of her former home, including the to-die-for beignets she brought to each meeting, regardless of the setting. No one was willing to forgo those beignets.

This month's book was set in Mexico, so there were cheesy nachos with garlic guacamole, sweet potato and black bean taquitos, a creamy taco soup, Mexican chicken and rice, and fish tacos. Sharon had drawn beverages at their last meeting, so, along with a case of seltzer water, she'd brought a few bottles of a Baja Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend along with the makings for Mojitos.

"And these," she drew out two large bottles of champagne. "Because we can't celebrate 10 years without a little bubbly. I still can't believe we've been doing this for 10 years." She poured the champagne and passed the glasses around to the ten incredible women sprawled over the sitting area. Ranging in age from their late forties to early sixties, with most in their fifties like Sharon, black, white, and mixed heritage, native Californians and transplants, gay and straight, single and married, they were a diverse group who had come together to bond over a shared love of books. And somewhere along the way, they had become friends. Friends that had seen each other through infidelity, divorce, infertility, empty nests, cancer, adoptions, menopause, job losses, promotions, and new loves gained and lost.

The book club had come about rather organically not long after Helen and her business partner, Jenny, opened "The Book Nook", a combination bookstore/café a little over 10 years ago. Helen's husband, Christopher, had accepted the position of visiting professor at USC, and the British couple fell in love with the climate and laid back lifestyle of Southern California. So, when a permanent position became available, they decided to leave the gray skies and rain of England behind and settle in the land of sunshine and surfers. At the time, Jenny was a stay at home mom whose marriage had fallen apart after her battle with breast cancer. Divorced, her children in college, and cancer-free, she was ready to embrace a new life when Helen became a patron of the coffeehouse where she was working as a barista. Soon they were discussing a joint venture. A few years later, their bookstore/cafe became reality, and Sharon, Summer, and Rachel became some of their first customers. Recommendations of authors and long chats over coffee regarding the books they read or were interested in reading had Jenny suggesting the idea of starting a book club.

For Sharon, it was perfect timing. Ricky had just gone off to Stanford, and with Emily across the country at NYU, she was reeling from the effects of her empty nest. For 21 years, her life had revolved around her children and their needs, car-pooling, cooking, laundry, helping with homework, getting them to practices, cheering them on at games and recitals, and most recently visiting college campuses in preparation for their futures. And then suddenly they were just…gone. The house was too quiet, too empty, too filled with memories. And, with her children gone, the fact that she did not have a love life only became more pronounced, her bed suddenly emptier, colder to the touch. And it didn't help that she was starting to feel like she was in a rut at the PSB. Melancholy enveloped her in its insidious web, eating away at her, telling her that her best days were now in the past.

Later, she would find that she actually enjoyed the peace and solitude of being on her own, the freedom of not having to organize anyone but herself. But in the beginning, the loneliness was crushing. Both Rachel and Summer commiserated with her because they were going through the same thing. It was Marina who encouraged her to use that time to focus on herself and do some of the things she'd wanted to do but hadn't had time for in the past.

For many years, Sharon had helped out a few nights a month at St. Joseph's soup kitchen, bringing Emily and Ricky along with her, which was how she'd gotten to know Aggie. Now, she began volunteering at the church's domestic violence shelter, counseling the women on their rights, teaching them how to defend themselves, and helping them to find jobs. She coached them through the interview process and helped them select outfits from donated clothes-including her own-that would help them look professional. Eventually, she ended up on the board of directors. She also became the LAPD's liaison with "The Sunshine Kids Foundation" helping kids with cancer, worked with Rachel to raise money for "Emily's List", sold her house and bought the condo, and then she joined the book club.

It was the perfect hobby and helped her to expand her group of friends. Other than Gavin, Summer, and Rachel, she didn't really have any close friends, confidantes. It wasn't that she was anti-social, she had many friendly acquaintances: Marina, Aggie, a few women and men at work. But, the truth was, she had never had the time to cultivate deep friendships. As a single mom, she was usually either working or taking care of her kids. And where most people made friends on the job, her work within the PSB made that impossible. Barriers were essential in her position, and that had not been easy, especially in the beginning. Even though she'd always been a bit reserved, she was not a naturally unfriendly person, so having to close off that side of her had taken time and effort. But she'd become good at it. Maybe too good. Once her walls were built, it was hard to let people back in.

The book club started out small, and though it had not been intentional, they were all women: Helen, Sharon, Summer, Rachel, Jenny, Marina, and Aggie. Roz, Patrice, and Andrea were later additions. Once the only women thing was established, they decided to keep it that way, which pleased Sharon. She was surrounded by men all day long, worked in a profession dominated by men, and she didn't have a problem with that. For the most part, she liked working with men, liked their direct ways, and had always felt that the best teams had a combination of women and men. On the other hand, it was nice to spend time with her women friends and immerse herself in the female perspective. It was also easier to be herself and let her hair down without the male/female dynamic, without feeling like she had to prove that she was tough enough, strong enough, smart enough, the way she did at work, every… single… day. Around these women, she could express her emotions, and frankly, her sexuality, without being embarrassed or viewed as weak.

"To ten years!" Helen raised her glass of champagne.

"To ten years!" The group chorused.

TBC

#shandy #sharon raydor #andy flynn #Major Crimes #shandy fanfic

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notoriousffmirror · 6 years ago

Text

wishful thinking (a steve harrington one-shot)

based on the prompt: “You come here often?” “Well, I work here. So I think I’d have to say ‘yes’.”

pairing: steve harrington x reader

word count: 1.8k

a/n: hello! i don’t bite. i promise. feel free to pick something from the prompt list and drop it on my inbox maybe? or just leave our suggestion k byeeeee enjoy

— Of all the awful things about working at The Gap - the long hours, dealing with (annoying) people, having to fold hundreds of neon shirts countless times throughout the day, doing inventory - the thing you hated the most was closing up the store.

You hated the creepy, empty environment, having to check every room to see if there was anyone there (yup, like a robber would yell “hey, over here!”), and having to turn off all the lights before locking everything up.

(Even though you were over eighteen, you still flipped the switch and ran upstairs every time you grabbed a cup of water in the middle of the night at home.)

(You did the exact same thing at The Gap. Turned off switches and just ran.)

(Good thing there was no one to watch you.)

(Except, y’know, the imaginary robber.)

And today, it would be your lucky day to close up the shop.

You were dreading it.

And you were also regretting agreeing to see Friday The 13th with your brother that past weekend, cause now your mind was playing tricks on you.

First, you could’ve sworn that a blazer with very dramatic shoulder pads on the fitting room was actually a person, and almost had a heart attack.

Then, a hanger fell out of nowhere from a pile as you were locking up the break room and you were pretty certain that if someone, anyone, was hiding out trying to rob The Gap they’d be deaf by now, because you let out the most embarrassing, ear piercing scream you could muster.

And now you were hearing footsteps.

Taking a deep breath and praying to God it was all in our head, you hid behind a rack of ugly neon shirts, holding an iron that you found at the back to your chest.

Someone was approaching.

Someone had actually entered the store, and you hang onto the iron until you heard that said someone was close and just…

“Hello?”

Threw it at them.

“Oh my God, you could’ve killed me!” The intruder yelled, and “Oh my God, what the fuck are you doing here?!”, you yelled back, coming out of your hiding spot.

The intruder was wearing a ridiculous sailor outfit.

The intruder was Steve Harrington.

You let out a breath of relief. You knew Steve. You went to high school together. He was a major dick but had fantastic hair.

“I heard someone screaming and I came running to check out what happened.” He still seemed startled by almost getting hit on the face with an ironing device.

“Oh. Sorry.” You picked up the iron from where it landed, a feet away from him “I hope this isn’t broken or my manager is gonna murder me.”

“You could’ve killed me, Y/N.”

“Sorry, wasn’t expecting a knight in shining armor.” You replied sarcastically and Steve rolled his eyes.

Typical you, he thought. Queen of Sarcasm.

“Anyway, is everything okay?”

“Uh, sure, it was just an… well, I think you deserve the truth.” You knew that if you two were still in high school you’d get mocked endlessly once that got out but, at the moment, you couldn’t care less “I got spooked by a hanger that fell. It was very creepy and I watched a horror movie on pure peer pressure so I might be traumatized for life. Sorry.”

“You’re closing this entire thing alone?” Steve looked concerned and you guessed the rumors were true.

King Steve had changed from High School to now.

“Yes, but I am almost done. I think. I kinda got distracted after the hanger thing and I started hearing footsteps.”

“Do you need help?”

“Yes!” You replied, maybe a little too eagerly.

(Not because he was King Steve With The Good Hair and all of that.)

(You hated closing so much that if Freddy Krueger had offered you help, you might’ve taken him for it.)

(Okay, maybe not.)

Steve gave you a sideways smile - one of those that, maybe once upon a time, would’ve made your heart do little pirouettes, taking the iron from your hands “I hate closing alone too. And Ahoy is probably as big as your fitting room.”

“You on solo duty tonight too?”

“Yes, Robin uhm, she had to leave early” He seemed embarrassed “She had ahm, lady problems”

You scoffed “Steve, y’know that’s a lie right?”

He actually looked appalled and you wanted to laugh.

“The girl who was supposed to close up with me beat me up to it and used the exact same excuse to our manager. I’d be mad if I hadn’t done the same thing last time.”

(You really hated locking up the store.)

You’d feel bad for Steve if you didn’t have an amazing memory and remembered when, a long time ago, when you two were juniors, had Science together and had to do a presentation in front of the class.

He bailed on your group by saying he had basketball practice every single time you guys tried to schedule a meeting.

(Your group ended up doing the entire thing without him.)

(Still put his name on the final paper because he was King Steve and all the boys were terrified.)

(On the day of the presentation, he said three lines as charmingly as possible, made the teacher blush and got an A overall.)

“Can you help me fold these ugly shirts? Then I’ll just lock the register and on our merry way we go.”

“Sure thing.”

Should you say something?, you wondered. Were you two even friends? You were friendly enough, you supposed, he may have been king of Hawkings High, but you weren’t a complete loser.

(Or at least you hoped you weren’t.)

(Fuck, were you?)

(Hell, it didn’t even matter now.)

And what could you even say?

Nice hair? Nice uniform? Fun summer huh?

So you decided to let the comfortable silence reign.

Meanwhile.

The silence was getting uncomfortable in Steve’s head.

Should he say something? Robin talked about you often enough. Said you gave her all of your employees discount and were saving up money to go to some fancy Ivy League. He didn’t doubt it - he knew you were smart. You two had lots of classes together growing up. Should he ask something? About college? Well, then he’d have to talk about his disastrous acceptance experience and that wouldn’t be so nice and yup, the silence was dragging and God he hated it, he had to say something to you, had to and…

“So, ahm… You come here often?”

You stopped folding one of those ugly neon shirts halfway through.

“Well, I work here. So I think I’d have to say ‘yes’.”

He wanted to hit himself in the face. He’d been out of practice for so long he had to let out the most obtuse pick up line in the planet to one of the few girls who’d never let him live it down.

(And whom, he was just starting to realize, he didn’t want to leave with the Steve Harrington is a complete Idiot impression.)

Fantastic.

“I…” he started, and, eager to break the silence and noticing how embarrassed he was, you interrupted cheerfully “Best and worst thing about working at the mall, go!”

“Erm, best: I can get all the free ice cream that I want. Worst: that’s really starting to show up on my adult size small sailor uniform.”

“For me the best is… definitely the employees discount.” You paused “Although I wouldn’t want to use it on this ugly thing.”

(The ugly neon shirt was indeed very ugly.)

“And the worst, wait, wait, let me guess.” Steve pretended to think for a second “closing up the store?”

“I just think the mall gets so creepy when it’s empty.” You shuddered “I’d rather deal with a thousand stay at home moms yelling at me cause their shirt shrunk than closing this goddamn place one more time.”

“Wishful thinking, y’know. Keep thinking that everyone else except you will get the locking duty.” He replied, with a solemn tone on his voice.

That was a side you didn’t know: Steve Harrington, advice master.

“Think that works?” You eyed him skeptically.

“You’ll never know if you don’t really try.” He shrugged, and you two made small talk for a while longer.

After making sure everything was at it’s expected place (except the iron, cause Steve was pretty much sure it was broken and asked if he could give it to a “friend of his who likes building stuff and could use this”, which you agreed to, as it was always better to get rid of any crime evidence), you helped Steve close up Scoops Ahoy (and took the opportunity to try every single ice cream flavor without someone behind you breathing down your neck).

As you said your goodbyes at the parking lot - Steve walking you to his car like the gentleman he was -, he made you promise that, if all the wishful thinking failed and you had to lock the store by yourself again, you’d hop by Scoops Ahoy to let him now.

(And to get some free ice cream.)

You promised, and you went for a mocking salute as he went for a hug and it was awkward and nice and little did you know that would be the last time you’d be closing up The Gap.

Cause on the week after, something uber strange would happen, half of the mall would get destroyed and you’d lose your job.

That was the thought running through your mind as you went to the videostore to grab some movies, as you had lot of time to kill and wasn’t exactly ready yet to go job hunting on retail again.

You were surprisingly greeted by Steve.

No stupid sailor hat now, just his regular old clothes and hair in all of it’s full, tall, thick glory.

“Hey! At least no more closing up the shop at eleven pm!”

“At least that! That wishful thinking thing really does work, huh?”

Steve smiled. Behind you, Robin was mouthing “ask her out! Ask her out!”

Noticing something going on behind your back, you turned to face her, a huge grin on her face as she spoke “So, hey Y/N! Do you come here often?”

You laughed, Steve groaning and with a shrug you replied “Not really, but I might start showing up more.”

“I leave at seven!” Steve quipped, and you nodded, grabbing your movies (the horror one for your brother obviously, you learned your lesson).

“I might show up again at seven then.”

(You did.)

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seniorbrief · 7 years ago

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20 Mind-Blowing Facts About Life on the International Space Station

Photo courtesy NASA

1. The sun rises and sets all day long

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station witness way more sunrises and sunsets than those of us on Earth: 16 of each per day. That’s because the station travels at about 17,500 miles per hour, completing a full orbit of Earth every 90 minutes.

2. Signs of life on Earth are most visible at night

The most prominent signs of human life during the day are airplane contrails, wakes created by boats, and the textured grey of big cities, says NASA astronaut Terry Virts. But nighttime, he says, is when you really see human activity. “It’s more a vision of wealth than it is of populations,” he says. “Europe shines like a light bulb … whereas Africa is bright around cities like Cairo and Johannesburg, but is otherwise just a few dots of light.”

3. The aurora borealis is stunning from above

Photo courtesy NASA

4. Up and down have no absolute meaning

While astronauts aboard the station typically keep their heads toward the overhead and their feet toward the deck, there is no true up or down in space. Labels and light fixtures (which run along the overhead) suggest a certain vertical orientation, but astronauts can switch things up as they want or need to. “Some days I’d [orient myself] with my head toward the deck,” says NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore. “Just to do things differently.”

5. Certain foods are MUCH harder to eat in space

Photo courtesy NASA

6. If you lose something, it could be gone for a while

It’s not uncommon for things to go missing aboard the space station (largely because anything that’s not secure will float away). Virts says that early in one mission, he and his crewmates lost a wrench. Months after it vanished, it reappeared. “For whatever reason, it just floated out from wherever it had been,” he says. “When the station finally comes back to Earth—hopefully decades from now—there will be a lot of lost tools, lights, wedding rings, and who knows what else, re-emerging.”

7. You can see pollution from space

The effect people have on Earth—for good and for ill—is clear. “While I was [aboard the space station], there was a part of Asia where we would always see pollution,” says Lindgren. “And then they had a clean air day where they limited the number of automobiles that could drive into town and those sorts of things. Within days we were able to see a city that we had previously not been able to see.”

8. Got something in your eye? That’s fairly common

Photo courtesy NASA

9. Astronauts see the same number of stars as people on Earth

The best view aboard the station is from the seven-window cupola dome. On moonless nights, the planets, stars, aurora borealis, and a spinning Milky Way galaxy are visible. “The view of the stars from space is similar to the experience you’d have if you went to Colorado, climbed a mountain, and didn’t have any lights,” says Virts. “It’s the same number of stars, except we don’t have [to view them through] the atmosphere, which helps.”

10. It’s easy—but uncommon—to play microgravity pranks

Lindgren says that while he never witnessed a space prank firsthand (though there was this gorilla-suit incident), there are a few good ones. “I’ve heard of people falling asleep in the middle of the day in one module, and somebody will come by and move them into a different module,” he says. “So they’ll wake up a bit disoriented.” Lindgren says that because astronauts don’t have to hold themselves up to sit or stand, it’s especially easy for them to accidentally fall asleep.

11. Cargo pants and socks make a good space outfit

It turns out that practical Earth outfits hold up well in space, too. Lindgren says a typical outfit is a cotton T-shirt and pants with lots of pockets and Velcro strips (astronauts use Velcro to keep items secure). “And you don’t need to wear shoes,” he says. “Just socks.”

12. It’s possible to get stuck in place

In order to move from one part of the space station to another, astronauts push off structures—which are almost always reachable—to propel themselves in the direction they need to go. But Virts recalls that after installing the space station’s Node 3 module—and before mounting racks of equipment to its sides—the room was a bit wider than an arm span. “We’d put someone in the middle and they’d just float there,” he says. “After about five or 10 minutes, the air currents would move you enough that you’d be able to grab onto the side.”

13. Saturday movie nights are popular in space, too

Photo courtesy NASA

14. Space travel isn’t the only aspect of being an astronaut

Wilmore says one of the biggest misconceptions about an astronaut’s job might be that it’s all about space travel. “Astronauts support NASA’s human spaceflight program. We rarely fly in space,” he says. “I’ve been an astronaut for 15 years and I’ve flown in space twice. And that’s average.”

15. There’s time for hobbies in space

Although astronauts typically work long days from around 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., there is time for reading and hobbies in the evening and on weekends. “I elected to have bagpipes sent up in one of my crew care packages,” says Lindgren.

16. Astronauts have the occasional dream in microgravity

When you spend enough time in a certain environment, you start to dream there, too. “I only had two microgravity dreams while I was in space,” says Lindgren. “And only two since I’ve been back on Earth.” One of his crewmates said about half his dreams aboard the space station were ground-based, while the other half were in microgravity.

17. The work astronauts do on the space station matters to people on Earth

“Space station research affects every discipline of science,” says Virts. “We’re learning how to fix human problems.” Some examples include experiments being done around bone loss, an obstacle astronauts combat in space with rigorous exercise, as well as work being done on combustion efficiency. “If you could change that efficiency by a fraction of a percent, it would be the biggest invention of the 21st century,” says Virts. For more information on the research being done aboard the space station, visit NASA.

Photo courtesy NASA

18. Astronauts often experience an overview effect

When astronauts in space look down on their home planet, they often experience a phenomenon referred to as the overview effect. “We see this amazing, indescribably beautiful planet,” says astronaut Ron Garan in the Planetary Collective film OVERVIEW. “It looks like a living, breathing organism. But it also, at the same time, looks extremely fragile … It really is striking and it’s really sobering to see this paper-thin layer and to realize that that little paper-thin layer is all that protects every living thing on Earth from death, basically. From the harshness of space.”

19. Astronauts often refer to their home planet as Spaceship Earth

Photo courtesy NASA

20. “We do not see any borders from space…”

From 250 miles above the planet, world peace seems less a lofty goal and more an urgent priority. “Some things that on Earth we see in the news every day and thus almost tend to accept as a ‘given’, appear very different from our perspective,” wrote German astronaut Alexander Gerst about what he felt as he saw rocket explosions over Israel and the Gaza in 2014. “We do not see any borders from space … From up here it is crystal clear that on Earth we are one humanity … If we ever will be visited by another species from somewhere in the universe, how would we explain to them what they might see as the very first thing when they look at our planet? How would we explain to them the way we humans treat not only each other but also our fragile blue planet, the only home we have? I do not have an answer for that.”

Original Source -> 20 Mind-Blowing Facts About Life on the International Space Station

source https://www.seniorbrief.com/20-mind-blowing-facts-about-life-on-the-international-space-station/

#seniorbrief #seniors

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internetallyscreaming · 8 years ago

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moon, arcturus, betelgeuse, aldebaran, orion, pegasus, pheonix, hydra, milky way, andromeda, black eye galaxy, cigar galay, sombrero galaxy, pinwheel galaxy, asteroid, eteor, nebula, shooting star, supernova, quasar, wormhole, black hole | thats a lot oops, u dont have to answer all if u lazy (like me) <3

This will be long, so prepare yourself to aggressively scroll past this if you don’t wish to hear more about me lmao

Moon: I’ve been hoping to study perhaps Creative Writing or History, or perhaps even Astronomy? I’ve really wanted to pursue Astronomy, though I thought that would take me too long and I would turn too dumb halfway to even get my degree, so I’m probably going for Creative Writing, if it doesn’t end up providing too low pay. I’ve found estimated pay for each of my desired degrees, and Astronomy turns out best. I’m still uncertain though;Arcturus: Yes, immense happiness or excitement or proudness or anger, I’ve felt a lot through crying. Most recently I’ve cried because Phillip Michael Lester turned 30 and I’ve went on a bit of a marathon of his videos from oldest to newest, I’m still not done with it, but I ended up crying because he got this far and he probably didn’t know it would happen just a decade ago. Hahahaah… please don’t judge me;;

Betelgeuse: Something I can’t forget about? Oh dear, I don’t know. I guess, the time a guy almost broke my left clavicle in 4th grade right before an exam;;; Worst day.

Aldebaran: I desperately care about my friends, my future, how I look in front of others, what I do in front of others, about not failing at anything and making myself look like an idiot, and I could go on way more about this stuff. But mostly, I care about the dear babe who asked all these questions. uwu

Orion: I have so many favourite months! January because it’s the new year and typically I get new relationships in that month, February because it’s my birthday month, and June-August because it’s Summer Vacations.

Pegasus: My favourite place to be… Well, I guess typical places would be my home, wherever my friends are, and I also love visiting new places. I want to visit Rome and some other cities I haven’t yet visited! I also love being around places where I can feel that everyone around me is happy.

Phoenix: I love wearing sweaters and scarves, as well as denim skinny jeans. Denim and leather jackets are amazing too, and give me all of the ankle boots. That’s basically my outfit all the time I go outside with minor adjustments.

Hydra: I love listening to music, so rhythmical sounds like those really get me cheered up. Listen to eurovision songs like What’s the Pressure and Tonight Again, and those are some songs that make me feel happier. I also love hearing birds chirping, airplanes setting off, and sometimes I like listening to paper being ripped. And rain splattering against the window is amazing.

Milky Way: The oldest friend I remember having that I’m not in contact with anymore is a girl named Sophia who was my neighbour in Greece. My oldest friend that I mildly keep contact with is one of my current neighbours in Serbia who shares the same name as me. My oldest friend who I keep in contact with as we speak (or rather as I type and you read?) is the babe who asked the questions. uwu

Andromeda: I consider myself slightly social, slightly not. I’m an ambivert, and it just depends on my mood. If I’m in a good mood, I want to be surrounded by people all the time. Although if I’m salty as fuck, leave me alone and just hang with me at that moment if we talk on a daily basis and/or I trust you a lot.

Black Eye Galaxy: Well, it’s possible, under certain conditions. I don’t believe you could find out someone’s personality at the first sight, but you could fall in love with their looks at the first sight, that’s certainly possible if you’re one who goes for looks. But my opinion of love at first sight is when you hang around with a person and you feel a connection by the first time you hang out with them and know how they act and some of their opinions on things, and basic things about them.

Cigar Galaxy: Lmfao, my flirting skills? Sometimes I can bust a good pick-up line on the spot, so my flirting is quite alright, and I’m not the most awkward flirt online, so I can be quite confident. Although don’t challenge me in real life, I’ve never done it so I guarantee I will make a fool of myself.

Sombrero Galaxy: I am dating someone right now who goes by the name of Nalin! She is the babe that is @silent-luciidity . But I love her a lot, and I can’t help getting crushes even then. I’ve had this crush on a guy in my class since a year ago, and that’s longer than when I’ve gotten into a relationship with her recently, just two months ago. So I’m still trying to control myself around him, yikes. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love my babe dearly <3

Pinwheel Galaxy: The last person I talked to is a friend on Quotev, and I’ll be honest, I would not lmao. He is just not my type, although a good friend.

Asteroid: Yikes, that’s a tough question. My dream life would probably consist of living in an aesthetically pleasing looking mansion with all !! my !! friends !! living with me, and I could get whatever I crave at that moment immediately, and I would also want my friends to be super happy. I don’t like seeing people sad! Although I get carried away with things I want, I try to hold back;; But the thing I surely want is the happiness of everyone I know.

Meteor: Well, that’s not something I could easily say now, can I? Haha, well, I’ll go by something I wish I can say in real life, but I’d probably get thought of weirdly for saying it. I wish I could say that I don’t like people being my friend one moment and then being all dramatic the next, although I can’t say it straight to their face because they’d throw a bigger fuss. The people I hang out with are awful sometimes ugh

Nebula: I wish I could undo my weeby creepypasta phase tbh burn that shit in hell ew-

Shooting Star: I :) wish :) I :) could :) bring :) back :) people :) having :) common :) fucking :) sense :) but even tho that’s true I wish I could bring back my lost PSP D: I lost it by leaving it behind on the bench while I was waiting for the bus with my mom and sister and I only noticed it was gone when I asked for it in the bus (I was like 5 or 6 at the time mind you) and I started sobbing when I realized that we forgot it and it was already too late to go back. RIP old PSP.

Supernova: I really want to be at least a little bit known before I die, be it for my art or books or anything else. I want to be known a little bit. I wouldn’t mind if it wasn’t super popular or anything, I just want to be known by a good few thousand people that can possibly spread it to others. I’d be super happy if I ever become something big. uwu

Quasar: Fuck, this is such a hard question. Is it possible to morph all of my friends into one person that I can hang with until I die? ty? no?? Okay, well, this is fucking hard, I can’t choose just one D:

Wormhole: I honestly wish I could meet my idols Dan and Phil. I know it’s probably possible, but I dont think it’d be that easy for some reason. I really want to meet them though, seeing the angels in the flesh would probably bring me back down to Earth and make me remember //wow im lucky to breathe the same air from the same planet as them// whoops

Black Hole: Like, the last thing I see before I die? Like, is that what you mean??? If so, I wish to be surrounded by my friends worrying over me in my hospital bed as I pass away of old age. I want to live a normal life, so yes.

And that’s the end of this, yikes. That was very long. I hope you didn’t get bored halfway through!;;

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