#『 QUEUE. 』 — the time will pass regardless‚ the worlds will keep turning‚ with or without her.

[dreadbornesaint]

tag dump - gen

[usedpidemo]

Delete this.vol seven.

Part of you wishes you never left home. Too many conflicts of interest. The weather appears to agree with you as well. When you left town for the city again, the sunshine quickly turned into cloudy uncertainty. Not a drop of dew fell, but the lurking feeling of downpour represented your inner anxiousness. It wasn’t apparent that you felt conflicted, putting on an act to keep Hyewon’s concern at bay. Not that you needed it—she appears to have her own interests rather than worry about you—but it’s that sneaky craftiness about her that dragged you into her world in the first place.

For the most part, she seemed neutral about your time off. No questions about people, places, or any personal info. Only the typical ‘How was your time there’ and ‘Hope you had a fine rest.’ This is fine. She didn’t ask about the 76 missed calls either. Even better. You prepared an excuse for that, but there was no mention of it. What a relief, at least for now. Brushing off your meeting with Yena should be the least of your worries.

What happens at home stays at home.

Hyewon takes you by the hand as you both enter the amusement park. For once she does not dress up as provocatively as she normally does, opting to go for a cutesy look instead. As you pass through the gate and get your arm stamped, something appears scary about the man punching your ticket. He stares at you with an intimidating glare, like you’re a wanted criminal. You try to flash an awkward, cartoonish smile to ease the tension, and he goes through the motions before you’re whisked away for some bonding with your girlfriend. As you turn back to her, he pulls out a receiver from his pocket, but you mostly ignore that strange incident and focus on what you’re doing there in the first place.

“Hey! What’s going on, love?” she asks you innocently.

That man continues to bother your thoughts, but to keep the illusion, you play it off lightly. “Nothing. The guy at the entrance looked at me funny, that’s all.”

She cups your cheek which blushes red. “Don’t worry about that, let’s go have some fun together!”

Simple words of reassurance are all that you need. With her comforting touch, you put that thought in the back of your head and follow her through your first ride.

Roller coasters were never your favorite attraction. But you power through your dislike of them for Hyewon’s happiness. It’s a nice change of pace compared to your other dates. She looks wholesome, endearing, and lovely while you wait in the queue. A subtle clicking noise catches your attention. Turns out she has her phone in hand, taking a quick snap of your idle expression. She turns the screen facing you. You somehow shifted to an adorable face without your knowing.

“So adorable,” she says while closing the camera app. “I bet you really missed me while you’re on vacation, right?”

“Sure I did.” You weren’t sure if those were the right words to say. Regardless, she takes it to heart and holds your hand again. Maybe she’ll finally settle for once when it’s all said and done.

As you inch closer to your turn in the ride, you glance at a mirror overhead. Look down before it dawns on you. Check the reflection again. No way. Probably just you overthinking things. You never saw her on the train ride back to the city. In fact, she waved at you at the terminal. The resemblance is uncanny; it's almost like she’s actually there. Can’t be her though.

Before you deeply consider the other options, she pulls you with her to the front seat of the roller coaster. A temporary distraction from possible hallucinations. Perhaps the whiplash of a fast paced ride might snap you back to reality.

Instead, it almost snaps your neck. The fast, almost instantaneous zig-zag motion of the ride has you screaming your lungs out. Hyewon has an identical yell, but an opposite reaction; she’s shouting in joy and excitement. From the makeshift tunnels to the open burst of wind from the outside world it feels like travelling between two different places. Up and down, left and right, and at some point you go through three loops, but you forcefully cover your eyes out of intense panic.

After what seems to be hours, but in actuality mere minutes, the ride comes to a full stop. Someone taps you on the shoulder, which causes you to slightly jump from your seat and let out one more shriek. Look to your right and it’s just Hyewon, offering her hand again. “Aw, didn’t know you were such a scaredy baby.”

“Hey! I wasn’t scared, I was just...praying, that’s all.” The redness of your whole face and sweat dripping down say otherwise.

“Whatever you say, scaredy cat.” She pulls her hand away and walks off.

“Hey, take those words back!” you quickly catch up to her, flustered about succumbing to your fear of roller coaster.

You both step into the souvenir shop and walk up to the counter. The computer behind the desk displays various photos taken during the ride. Hyewon retrieves a few bills from her pocket and hands it over to the clerk. The captured pictures shift to present the two of you in front, with your long sleeved arms covering your face. She sees another opportunity to gloat and bumps shoulders with you, a devilish smirk quickly forming on her features. All you can do is snicker and roll your eyes.

She whips out her phone again while you examine the photo on display. Something piques your curiosity. A recognizable figure sits a few rows behind Hyewon. No way. It’s actually her. How did she end up following you into this park on the exact same day?

“No fucking way,” you quietly mumble to yourself. “She can’t find out about this.”

“Find out what?” Hyewon asks, then you divert your attention back to your girl. “Something up?”

You try to make your problem as unclear as possible. At least lying is a trait you’re a natural at. “Oh, well I just realized my zipper has been open for quite some time now.”

She furrows her eyebrows. “Really? I thought we weren’t supposed to be horny until we got back to our hotel.”

Lying to yourself at least. You’re not actually a good liar. You shift your gaze away from Hyewon, struggling to find any bailout or escape from your self-inflicted hole. This time, your body saves you at the last minute. Grogginess and nausea cause you to almost hurl at the mouth.

“You okay?” She asks again, her suspicion turned to concern.

You immediately make a beeline for the doors without  a word, rushing to the nearest restroom. Thankfully, there’s a pair right beside the steps from the ride’s exit. Not a second is wasted as soon as you enter a stall. A wave of your breakfast is belched down the toilet—maybe some of your organs too. The knot in your stomach tightens and not in a pleasurable manner. After a quick flush, you trudge towards the sink to clean up the filthy residue around your lips.

One wash of your face and you can see your frightened self in the mirror staring back. Behind the mask is a vulnerable, uncertain you. Both your past and present are colliding—it’s almost inevitable at this point, no matter how much you try to keep them apart. The issue isn’t about when, but how.

As you step out the bathroom after tidying up, you look up and widen your eyes in shock. It’s as if fate destined the two of you to meet here. She tilts from her phone and has the same reaction.

“Yena?”

Her cheeks redden with shyness and she places her phone in front of her lips before turning away. “Um, hi.”

“W-what are you doing here? I saw our photo on the roller coaster and you were a few seats behind us!”

She grows more flustered and more embarrassed by the second. Like a scolded child she’s facing the wall. Her mouth is binded by sheepishness. Tug her by the shoulder only to be met with a slap of resistance. You know she likes you, but to follow you all the way back to the city and even to your date is something else.

“Come on, please answer me,” you say gently with the hopes that a beam of confidence may come upon her. “It’s okay, I won’t get upset if you tell me. She won’t ever know.”

“W-well, I-I was thinking about it and I thought you needed me here in the city.” She musters up the courage to speak, though almost every word is stammered. “I felt restless after we made out in the park and I couldn’t bring myself to watch you leave again after that.”

“But I saw you wave me goodbye at the terminal.”

“I took the next departure, which was two hours after yours.”

“And how did you find out about my date at this amusement park?”

“Someone told me. I didn’t know who it was, they just said Hyewon was going to the park today.”

One reveal after another. So many more questions raised. But first, Yena. You try to pull her body directed towards yours. Though she quivers mildly, she doesn’t put up a fight this time. Her cheeks flush with a bright, pinkish glow. Your arms slowly tangle around her waist for a bear hug, which she subtly reciprocates. A pair of arms snake around your hips.

“You didn’t have to do that, y’know,” you whisper in her ear. “I’ll be fine. She’s taking good care of me.”

The shaking stops as the embrace lasts longer. Yena feels reassured with your words and even more so by your warm hug. You briefly forget that you have a girlfriend to attend to. That issue can be dealt with later. For now, you’ll do anything for your best friend.

“Listen, we can talk about this later, all right?” you mumble as you draw away from her. “I need to go back— now.”

Your voice cracks at the last word. Like a well placed trap Hyewon catches the two of you in each other’s arms. Her stare appears neutral, as if she knew something was up. Maybe she knew and didn’t tell you. She has more tricks than a magician and can maneuver you in any number of ways. Yena blushes again and looks away to the wall in shame.

“Oh. Well hello there,” Hyewon says casually. As subdued her expression looks, you’re fearful that she might snap and possibly fight her.

“L-look, babe. I can explain,” you say in an attempt to ease the tension. Predictable as it sounds, it works.

“Sure. I’ll be here all day, listening to whatever pathetic excuse you have now.” Repressed anger is apparent in her voice. She crosses her arms and purses her lips.

“Yena, you can help me explain to my girlfriend right? Hyewonnie, this is Yena, my childhood friend.” you tap her in the shoulder to get her to leave her shell, but she refuses to budge. Mentally you facepalm. Out of all the times she chooses not to back you up.

“Well, you see, me and Yena go way back. We were close friends until I eventually moved to the city while she stayed in town. I visited her last week for the first time in months and we reconnected. Look, there’s nothing between us romantically! You have to trust my word, Hyewonnie.”

Yena tilts her body slightly so that she’s partially facing both you and Hyewon. She gives a gentle nod and presses her index fingers together. Hyewon scratches her head, puzzled at Yena’s behavior. She seems the same age as her buddy, but her behavior was childlike and incredibly awkward. Your heart beats faster when Hyewon approaches you two, preparing for a possible conflict or slap in the face.

Instead she offers a hand to Yena. “It’s nice to meet you, Yena.”

Yena looks at Hyewon’s open hand, unsure if this is a trick or actual trust. The older woman flashes an innocent smile while she waits for her response. Finally the two girls shake hands, becoming acquainted with each other for the very first time.

“Nice to meet you, Hyewon. Please don’t hurt me.” Her handshake is panicky, a complete contrast to Hyewon’s professionalism. The way she trembles uncontrollably indicates how uncomfortable she still is.

“Of course not,” she smiles wider. “Anyone who’s a friend to my boyfriend is a friend of mine. Let’s go have fun together.”

The three of you collectively nod as you continue your fun day at the amusement park.

———

“Then he just dodged every hit from this drunk patron and sent him flying!” Hyewon downs a glass of champagne while speaking to Yena. She recaps to her the bar incident, which is how everything started. All of you are a few shots deep in your hotel room. “He just pulled out those Matrix moves out of nowhere, and that’s when I knew I was in love.”

Yena cackles loudly that the other guests might wake up. “Wow. That’s the first time I’ve ever heard him act remotely fast in any capacity.”

“Hey!” You shout after getting called out like that. More boisterous laughter from the two women. You’re sitting on the couch, distracted by their chatter rather than the game on television.

“Make that the second.” Yena quips. Even more chortling that slightly ticks you off. You hurl a pillow aimed at the younger girl, who keeps laughing unabashedly.

As the night deepens, in the early hours of the following day, the two women are still talking to each other while you’re in the shower.

“So, is it true?” Hyewon asks, her fingers fiddling with the inside of her empty glass. Two bottles of champagne are on the floor, completely consumed.

Yena smirks while repeatedly tapping on Hyewon’s chest. Her drunkenness gets the best of her thoughts. “Yeah. You know, you have a really nice chest.”

“Thanks. They’re natural too.”

“Wish I was born with those. Maybe he’ll like me more than he does.”

Hyewon raises her eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?”

“Y’know, we had sex in the park once and he licked my pits. Best feeling ever. I bet he fucks you hard everyday like you’re his only one. You’re lucky.”

“I can definitely say I am lucky,” Hyewon licks her lips “Big dick, nice guy. What more could I ask for in a man?”

They turn around after hearing the bathroom door open. You’re dressed up in nothing but a plain bathrobe. The gaze in their eyes shows a rapidly growing fire. Lust burns in their heart and before you know it, their hands are all over you and they drag you into the bed. Drunken lust fills their souls as their lips smear sweet strawberry flavored champagne  and lipstick over your body, fully exposed after they pull your only piece of fabric off.

A gasp escapes your breath when Hyewon’s deft hand seizes your quickly hardening shaft. “F-fuck, I just got out of the shower.”

“We know.” Hyewon licks the tip of your cock, capturing a drop of your precum. Another groan from your mouth. “Let’s do that together after this.”

Both Hyewon and Yena remove their tops as fast as they pull off yours. Two pairs of breasts bounce in your sight, your eyes following them in a rhythmic gaze. The older woman takes her phone from her bag and hands it over to the younger girl.

“Press record once I suck him off.” She says as she swirls more of your shaft. Yena merely nods and follows along with her command. The more you leak, the more white fills her plump lips. The feeling of Hyewon’s tongue on your cock never gets old.

You’re the noisy one this time around as Hyewon fills her mouth with your dick, releasing lengthy groans and moans. Yena captures each second on her phone while her free hand subtly slips inside her pants. Desperate fingers seize and clasp at air until they clasp the edge of the bed. She bobs her head up and down, your cock drenched with her saliva.

Before it gets more intense, she lets it go with an audible pop. You try to catch breath while she hops off bed to strip the remnants of her dress. Fully naked, she rejoins you again, but this time she turns to the camera. Behind it the person filming is rubbing one off, her eyes completely shut.

“Hey, look at us and read the room,” Hyewon taps a distracted Yena on the arm.

“What? Oh? Why did you stop?” Yena asks, her fingers coming to a halt. Realizing they’re both undressed, she puts Hyewon’s phone on the shelf before her own pants and underwear slide off.

Hyewon reaches for her phone and places it at a stable angle arched on the wall. “Get on his face.”

Yena is shocked by the command given to her. “I don’t wanna hurt him.”

“You won’t, trust me. Now get on his face.”

Despite her state of debauchery, Yena is mindful not to fully suffocate you when she slams herself on your face. Not that you minded—the sight of her slit would be the perfect gateway to heaven. Hyewon crawls down to your cock again, then after giving it one pump, she lines it between her breasts. These are the best restraints you could ask for.

If their rowdy laughter didn’t wake up the guests, their joyous cries certainly will. Yena shrieks when you press your tongue against her lips. Hyewon’s tits smother your dick while it pumps in and out of her warm, thick mounds. Her moans are much more subdued, airy gasps compared to the younger’s wild whimpers. Though you can’t see your girlfriend, you can definitely feel the pleasant, hot sensation wrapped around your shaft.

Babbles muffled by Yena’s slit go through deaf years as you continue to eat her out. Your unrestrained hands run through her figure before they grab a handful of her ass. Her moans echo all over the room. What’s on the television? Her erotic noise if anyone asks.

“Oh my god. You’re eating me out so good! Fuck!” Yena screams an obvious statement. Hyewon remains unfazed, her experience with you a familiar one.

Her hands cling to Hyewon’s shoulders as her body collapses from instability. That doesn’t stop you from drinking from her clit though. She orgasms first, a torrent of wet juices gush over your face, which you happily lap up. More wetness follows the deep climax. Yena’s pleasure is absolutely gratifying that her eyes roll to the back of her skull.

“Damn. That’s quite a mess you made,” Hyewon says looking over Yena’s wet work. So much squirt.

It doesn’t take long for you to join her in euphoric bliss. A few more pumps between Hyewon’s cleavage then you cum as well. Flecks of thick, warm seed fill her flesh, neck, and chin. Another audible pop as she frees your shaft from her suffocating chest. She takes a finger and gathers a sample before putting it in her mouth.

“So good.” Hyewon collects another round of semen and places it near Yena’s lips. Through her exhaustion she tastes your cum too before laying on you again. She picks up her phone and stops the video. Afterward she wiggles right beside you, placing an arm over the younger woman’s ass.

———

You’re awakened by the sound of sensual slurps and prickles in your nether region. Look below and both Hyewon and Yena are sucking your cock, their lips occasionally tangled with each other as they fill their mouths with your shaft. They notice you and stare back with wide, needy eyes, as if begging for approval.

The husky gasp you make confirms this. Stroke their dark locks for good measure. More bursts of seed slather their lips, which they enjoy together. Hyewon grabs Yena by the shoulder and makes out with her to share your cum back and forth between the two of them. To think that you were doubtful about them meeting a day before, now they’re getting along wonderfully.

A knock on the door draws your attention away as you gently shake them off before getting out of bed. Put on the bathrobe left on the floor last night and some slippers on. The bang on the door grows louder every second.

“Coming.” You yell as you head towards the door mere seconds later.

What follows next leaves you unaware and unconscious again. A masked man sprays a mysterious smoke that catches you off guard. The girls hear a loud thud and try to figure out what’s going on, but they get knocked out as well. With your bodies piled up on the floor and no one nearby suspicious, the masked man speaks into his watch.

“I got 'em.”

“Very good.” A feminine voice answers back. “Bring them to me. Take the girls to the prison, leave the boy to me.”

“Understood.” He turns off the communication afterward.

The woman rises from her chair and walks toward the panel where a flying contraption is being developed by engineers and robotic hands. She smirks wickedly as she pulls out a photo of you and her from her coat.

“Soon you’ll have nothing left but me, and we’ll be together again. No one can tear us apart anymore.”

(A/N: Well that escalated quickly. Delete this is now down to the last two or three chapters. And the love maze continues...)

[a-flower-lover]

Aunt Alicia Didn’t Prevent The Apocalypse

Hello, @phandom-phriend! Here’s your Christmas Truce gift! I hope you like it :3

Word Count: 2680

Summary: When there is an explosion at the Nasty Burger, killing almost her entire family, Aunt Alicia handles it.

It took a good week for Alicia to hear the news. It took only one more for her bags to be packed, the plans laid out, and her trusty lawyer to be prepared for a call just in case. Then she was in Amity Park, for the first time in years and years, only it was not for any good reason. 

The first thing she did after checking into her hotel had been to drive herself to the funeral. 

There were so few people in attendance, it was… Stunning, to say the least. But Alicia hadn't known her sister to have many friends, and Jack even less… regardless she thought at least a few would arrive. Maybe even some family, from Jack's side of course. And the little she had talked to her nephew during the arrangement, made it seem he knew people that she hadn't, and that Jazz would have some people coming for her side of things. 

There was practically no one. No one there to comfort her nephew while she hadn't been there for him, no one to make sure he wasn't blaming himself for it all. Hell. His entire support network had been wiped out in one go. He needed people who cared. Who would share in his grief. 

Alicia was too busy during the service to do any of the comforting. She doubted she even could. She lacked the gentle touch her sister had learned when dealing with children, and she was a mite too rough to handle a kid who witnessed the death this one had. 

Poor kid. 

After the service, she made an attempt to talk to him about the custody matter. She doubted the courts would allow it, given her record, but she did want to keep an eye on him. She doubted he'd be happy in the woods she loved, but she'd be willing to move wherever he wanted within reason. She had the money. You marry a businessman, you get money. If you live off your own land, you get to keep it. She could afford whatever Danny needed, if he asked. 

She knew of a godfather existing. The dick hadn't shown up to the funeral, but she knew he existed. She was told he lived in Wisconsin, was a high n’ mighty CEO of multiple corporations. A single rich billionaire who lived in a mansion no one visited, who was more likely than not gonna be a terrible influence on a hurt kid. But he'd have more of a legal claim on Danny than her. 

She'd already lost a child, the courts were not likely to give her another. Even if she promised to move out from the woods.

But Danny's choice was all that mattered for her. If he wanted her to, she'd fight tooth and nail for him. She'd tear the world apart to help the last remaining family she had left, if he wanted her to. 

Alicia was not good at affection. She was not good at showing she cared. She was stubborn, aggressive, and she'd been hurt in her life. She was not the person Danny needed, who would be endlessly understanding and gentle. She was one of the only options he had. 

So after the service was over she asked him. Did he want to live with her, wherever he wanted to go, or did he want to go with his godfather. Originally he had been confused. He had a godfather? He had a choice? She explained what she knew, and he only seemed to grow more confused. Said he'd met the man, but hadn't known he was his godfather. Said he'd have to think on it more. 

Alicia knew it meant he wouldn't pick her. It wasn’t a surprise when she was proven right. (She was practically a stranger, to Danny. The few times they’d interacted she was sure didn’t leave any semblance of a good impression.)

The legal processes after a death were lengthy, at least when Alicia had to work with Masters. After the courts had said he'd get custody of Danny, he had "helpfully" decided to put his nose in the work Alicia was doing for the inheritance. Not that it was all too confusing for her to handle; everything was being left to Danny, if she had anything to say about it. One would think the man who'd be caring for the child would agree, but you'd be surprised. 

In addition, any time she wished to talk to her nephew she'd first have to undergo a sort of interrogation from Masters, about what she wanted to see her nephew for, or she was simply turned away from the door without another word. She had never seen the Fenton house so dark, and empty, and cold, as she had the month after their deaths. She couldn't imagine any reason Danny would want to stay cooped up in there, especially not on his own, but Masters kept her out and she had no standing if she decided she didn't like being kept out like she was. 

So if she wanted to ask if Danny wanted any of his inheritance readily accessible, or what if anything he wanted sold, or if he wanted the FentonWorks business to be given to Masters or if he wanted to shut it down, any of that sort of stuff was impossible for her to get answers for. Masters thought he could try to play a game of telephone with her, telling her what Danny wanted for Danny, often without asking, but Masters was a stupid bastard if he thought she'd let a businessman speak for her nephew. 

So between attempts to contact Danny before he moved to Wisconsin with Masters, Alicia instead focused on her own personal project. 

After learning the parents of Danny's late friends we're not planning on letting him attend their funerals, because the bastards blamed him for the deaths that day like immature pricks, Alicia had worked out a deal to allow him to attend without being harassed. If he wanted to, anyhow. That was another thing Alicia had yet to ask him. But giving him the choice was important to her. So she had agreed to the deal. 

She was going to foot the bill for a statue the Manson's had planned, to honor their dead daughter, and the Foley's were going to have their son part of the statue as well.

Of course, if they were getting their statue of their losses, Alicia was going to get a statue of hers. (She was not going to lie and say that adding the Fentons to the statue was one of the things she was doing for Danny. She was doing her best to make this loss easy on him, but she knew a lot of her best was neglecting her own grief. If she was going to be forced to commission a damn statue for his sake, she might as well kill two birds with one stone by adding in elements for her sake. The funerals were going to happen before even the statues pedestals were done, let alone the statues themselves, so if the assholes who blamed her nephew didn't like it they'd be too late to do anything about it.) 

So the project was the oversight of the clearing of the Nasty Burger explosion site, and the construction of the pedestal and base for the statues. Thanks to the richer Manson folk, and even Masters after Alicia told the bastard what she was doing the thing for, the statue's plans and location had been legally settled right in time for construction to begin. 

The first few days of it were normal. Just Alicia, the hired construction men, and the occasional terrible reminder of what they were cleaning up as a chunk of metal covered in dried brown markings passed by her eyes and was tossed into the dump truck. 

It was the eighth day, she thinks, when she started seeing the ghost. 

The ghost was familiar. She had chatted with Maddie about a ghost matching this one's description, the last anniversary of Alicia's divorce, between moments of frustration as she tried to tell her sister that leaving a man too stupid for her was a positive. (Alicia. Regretted, that. Not that Alicia was a woman who regretted many things, but. Her last memories of her sister were of getting a nice divorce anniversary party, after being what many would describe as an ass simply because Maddie loved her husband more than he was stupid. Not everything that works for Alicia works for others. Hadn't Maddie said that? At least something like it, surely.) 

Snowy white hair. Black suit. Green eyes, but she couldn't say they were glowing. If they had at one point, they didn't now. Looking incredibly familiar, a face she was reluctant to place because she didn't know what it could mean. But matching Maddie's description anyways. 

He sat, just far enough away from the site that he was out of the way, but close enough that Alicia could see the tremors wracking his body, and the slight shine on his cheeks. 

Ghost or no, that was first and foremost a kid. A kid who looked mighty like another kid Alicia knew. And even if the familiarity was only surface level and coincidental, she could use the practice. Practice comforting someone, she meant. But it took a few more days of the ghost appearing for her to actually approach, as caution overruled empathy. 

"You look a mite troubled, there." She said, hands in her pocket as she approached the figure. It didn't move, hardly acknowledging her. Perhaps it didn't think she was talking to it. "I'd ask what's wrong, but I reckon I already could guess." She crouched down, reaching out to touch the specter on the shoulder, but it was quick to scoot itself out of reach, though she took that to mean that now it acknowledged her. Good. A start. 

"Wh-?" It stopped before it could really start talking back. Alicia took that as her queue to keep going. 

"My apologies. Jus' saw a kid needin' help, but I can leave you be if you really want." She said, and the ghost started to shake it's head vigorously. "Then I'll be glad t' listen to your troubles, kiddo."

"Um, but why?" It said. "I'm not a kid. I'm a ghost."

"You sure don't look a day over twelve, ghost or no." Alicia pretended not to find the responding scowl humorous. Just another small thing, proof it was just a child.

"I'm fourteen." The ghost said. Alicia held back her response. This ghost really was familiar, wasn't it.

"Well, then. Fourteen. Certainly, much much older." Alicia snorted, shaking her head. "No, no, I wasn't here to rag on ya. What's the matter? I doubt your eyes we're shinin' cause the cleanup is so beautiful." The ghost, who had for a moment been distracted from the sight, immediately turned back to it, and a very dreary expression bloomed on its face. 

"'s my fault." The ghost mumbled, almost so quiet Alicia didn't hear. It pulled its tail up to its chest and wrapped its arms around it, resting its chin on them. Not once losing sight of the remains of the Nasty Burger. 

"Now I really doubt that." A week in the town had told Alicia that the Phantom ghostie Maddie so despised was revered as the town hero. While Alicia was of the opinion that most city folk were brainless sheep, she had never bought the idea Maddie got from Jack that all ghosts and similar sort were evil. If they were, then that meant all people were evil, because ghosts came from the dead. Alicia was pessimistic at the baseline, but she'd got nothing but kindness from the neighbors when the worst had happened to her and everyone else was blaming her for it. She couldn't believe they'd turn out any different had they died. So believing this ghost could be a town hero was nothing of a stretch. 

"I did, though." The ghost whined, a sound bordering on animalistic, a clear distress call. Alicia wondered if another ghost would come to answer. "I had a fight, here, days before the explosion. I was the one who damaged the vat, and caused it. I even-" The words broke off into another whine, louder and sadder than before. Tears ran down the ghosts face, tinted green and glowing. 

"Now you couldn't have known what would happen." Alicia said, but the ghost didn't react. "And I bet it wasn't a fight you started." The ghost still didn't respond. "Honestly, you and my nephew. Kids always blame themselves for things out of their control." She sighed, shaking her head. This got a reaction out of the ghost, a small flinch, that if Alicia hadn't been paying close attention to and trying to see she would have missed. 

"Danny’s a good kid. I don't know why he blames himself, but I know it wasn't his fault. I may not know you, but I feel it's the same for you." Alicia said, and she paused. Would it be bad to continue? The ghost was only looking more and more upset, especially now that she mentioned her nephew. 

"It's not the same for me." The ghost eventually said, after a minute of indecision. "If it's not… not your nephews fault, then it has to be mine." The ghost said. 

Alicia frowned. That was a stupid way to reason this. There was no one at fault for this, except maybe the people who decided a Nasty Burger must be prepped to self destruct at any moment. 

She would have said so, too, if the ghost hadn't've disappeared as soon as her mouth opened. 

After that, the ghost kept appearing. To watch the clearing process, and to watch Alicia. But any time she'd try to get close to talk to the other again, it'd disappear. It was a touch frustrating, but nothing to be done. She wasn't gonna go chasing ghosties. That was never and will never be her place. 

She was generally spending less time at the site after that, too, which was another factor in not talking to the ghost any more. Danny had finally started to answer the door instead of Masters, and Alicia was better able to talk to him. While he started to avoid questions any time it got around to how he was feeling, he didn't seem too off. Or, not really any more off than he would be after what happened. 

He attended his friends' funerals, and said that no one gave him a hard time. He worked out what he wanted to keep, and what he wanted to get rid of. He wanted to keep the building, and keep FentonWorks. Masters would keep track of it until Danny was older, of course, but Alicia was fine with Danny's decision. 

He came with her only once to watch the site clearing, to watch the last batch of shrapnel and debris be hauled away, leaving only the broken shell and sign of the old building. When Alicia explained that they weren't planning on rebuilding at the moment, Danny didn't seem to care. After that it was time for him to leave, to meet Masters at his new home. 

Masters had left a week before, looking troubled, but putting on a show of ease when Alicia approached to ask why he was leaving Danny behind. He had a lot to prepare, was his excuse. Bullshit. But Danny had been fine with it. Said he even asked the man to. So Alicia, though it made her unhappy a great deal, left it alone.

Alicia took one last month in Amity to settle affairs, to see the completion of the statue, and to rest flowers at each of her family's graves (yes, even Jacks). The time during which she didn't see the ghost again, to her disappointment. 

Then she left and went back to her home in Spittoon, Arkansas. Alone.

[tigerkirby215]

5e Rakan, the Charmer build (League of Legends)

(Artwork by Riot Games)

Happy day after Valentine's Day friends. I wrote this build in August, and a lot has happened to my little bird twink during that time. Along with a damn good new skin (and you know: new season) he’s become one of the more sought out supports in pro play. Also I got him to Mastery 5 at time of writing (December 13th, 2020.) Who knows: I might update this little blurb to say I got him to a higher mastery.

Sadly I don’t have a Xayah to duo queue with. But I’m always ready to be the support that you need~ 💓

GOALS

Am I not magnificent? - Rakan’s title is literally “the charmer.” Of course we’re gonna need some charms.

War is in the dance - With an ability called “Battle Dance” we’ll need to be quick on our feat, dashing around our foes and popping them up with a Grand Entrance.

Nothing's fun without risk - While he may not be the best enchanter Rakan has a ton of heals and shields for both himself and his allies.

RACE

Rakan is half bird, but he doesn’t do a lot of flying which leaves Aarakocra out of the picture. He’s also incredibly chatty (holy shit have you seen how many voice lines Xayah and Rakan have?) so Kenku is definitely not an option. So when in Rome as a furry look no further than a Shifter.

All Shifters have Darkvision and their Shifting ability to gain temporary hitpoints, but everything else is determined by their subrace: to be ever quick and ever charming go for a Swiftstride. As a Swiftstride Shifter your Dexterity increases by 2 and your Charisma increases by 1. You are Graceful and have proficiency with the Acrobatics skill, and your Shifting feature lets you get down with The Quickness, moving 10 feet faster and being able to move 10 feet as a reaction if an enemy ends their turn within 5 feet of you, all while not provoking oppertunity attacks!

ABILITY SCORES

15; WISDOM - Rakan is all about the spirit of the wild and the subtle magic of nature. Wait Nature and Arcana are Intelligence skills? Uhhhhh... 

14; INTELLIGENCE - Rakan certainly doesn’t show that he’s smart but Nature and Arcana are Intelligence skills. That, and this is a requirement for a very particular class.

13; CHARISMA - A charmer of course needs to be charming. (Feel free to swap this with CON if you want more health but worse RP.)

12; DEXTERITY - Even if Rakan is normally shirtless this is enough for good ol’ Medium Armor thanks to our Racial stat increases.

10; CONSTITUTION - Even though Rakan plays up close and personal he’s certainly not a tank.

8; STRENGTH - You wouldn’t risk ruffling your feathers by doing heavy lifting.

BACKGROUND

While Rakan didn’t start out a rebel like Xayah he gladly joined her cause, and while a background like Entertainer might make more sense for him he’s without a doubt a Freedom Fighter now... unfortunately there’s no Freedom Fighter background so Faction Agent is the next best thing.

You get proficiency with any Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma ability and naturally we’ll be going for Performance. You also get proficiency in Insight but we’re actually going to be replacing it with Arcana for knowledge of the magic of the wild. Additionally you can learn two languages of your choice: unfortunately Aarakocra isn’t an option but Auran (or rather Primordial) is. And to learn the ancient language of Ionia I’d recommend Sylvan.

As a vastayan rebel you can gain access to a Safe Haven for you and your allies. By using secret signs and passwords you can identify other rebels who can bring you to a safe house, give you a free place to stay, or assist you in finding information. They won’t risk their lives for you but as long as you remember the password they’ll be willing to help. You... did remember the password, right?

(Artwork by Riot Games)

THE BUILD

LEVEL 1 - CLERIC 1

Starting off as a Cleric, the king of supports. As a Cleric you get proficiency in two skills from the Cleric list: this is actually where we’ll be grabbing Insight proficiency from along with Medicine to keep Xayah safe.

Clerics get to choose their subclass at level 1 and there are obviously a lot of options to go for: Peace to bond with Xayah, War to better your battle dance, Nature or Arcana to further your connection to natural magic... Bet you wouldn’t expect the choice to be the Order Domain from Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica! (Also reprinted in Tasha’s Cauldron.) (I’ll go over why Order whenever we get abilities important to the build.)

For a start Order Clerics get proficiency in Heavy Armor as well as either Intimidation or Persuasion; Xayah’s got the scary part down so go for Persuasion, since someone’s gotta be the smooth talker! You also get Voice of Authority, letting you set up for an ally with a Grand Entrance. If you cast a spell with a spell slot and target an ally they can use their reaction to make one weapon attack against a creature of your choice. You have to be able to see the enemy you want them to target, and if you target multiple allies with a spell only one of them can use their reaction to attack. But setting up for friends to cut through foes is what you do best!

Speaking of spells and set-up Clerics get access to Spellcasting! You can learn three cantrips at level 1: for a Gleaming Quill grab Sacred Flame which does Radiant damage (not Fire damage!) to a foe. If you’re getting surrounded however Word of Radiance will let you shine on your foes for more Radiant damage! And to be a good support and help your allies out of combat Guidance lets you add a d4 to ability checks.

You can also prepare a number of spells equal to your Wisdom modifier plus your Cleric level. As an Order Domain Cleric you have Heroism and Command as part of your Domain Spells, meaning that you don’t have to prepare to be the hero and force your enemies in line. For a close range heal look no further than Cure Wounds. For a shield grab Shield of Faith to make it harder for enemies to kill your allies. And to set up for your friends grab Bless, making it easier for them to hit and survive.

LEVEL 2 - CLERIC 2

Second level Clerics can Channel Divinity once per short or long rest, invoking the power of the gods to help them. All Clerics can Turn Undead, forcing undead within 30 feet to make a Wisdom save or run away from you. However Order Clerics can charm their foes with Order’s Demand. You can charm (yes charm!) anyone of your choice within 30 feet until the end of your next turn, or until they take damage. Additionally you can force them to drop whatever they’re holding so they don’t shoot Xayah!

This is one of the many abilities I wanted out of Order Domain. A big AoE charm that also stops enemies from hitting you and your friends is right up Rakan’s alley.

You can also prepare another spell and while Rakan doesn’t have a ranged heal in-game Healing Word is just too good to pass up on as an Order Cleric. Bonus action let your friend whack an enemy!

LEVEL 3 - WIZARD 1

Didn’t take Rakan as the bookish type, did you? Well, he isn’t, but we need some abilities from Wizard that we can’t get elsewhere except Clockwork Sorcerer which makes even less sense for Rakan. Regardless Wizards also get Spellcasting. You learn 3 cantrips from the Wizard list: for a more direct autoattack grab Firebolt because I like having a variety of damaging cantrips, to add some pizzazz to your dance Prestidigitation will let you add a bunch of funky visual effects as you please, and for some coordination in Team Chat grab Message! "Did you notice the sky?" "It's lovely." "Not as beautiful as you."

You can prepare a number of spells equal to your Wizard level plus your Intelligence modifier, but when you multiclass into Wizard you can learn 4 spells to put in your spellbook. You can only prepare spells in your spellbook is the long-and-short of the class. Anyways: to bedazzle your foes grab Color Spray and blind them with your beauty. For a little owl companion take Find Familiar. To run when you need to Expeditious Retreat will help. And finally to detect the magic of the world take... Detect Magic...

Wizards also have Arcane Recovery, letting them recover a spell slots of a combined level equal to half their Wizard level rounded down. In short every spell slot counts the same number of “points” as the spell’s level, and you can recover a number of spell points equal to half your Wizard level. So a third level Wizard can either recover a 2nd level spell or two 1st level spells. Oh and you can’t recover spell slots past 5th level.

LEVEL 4 - WIZARD 2

Second level Wizards can choose their Arcane Tradition, and to protect yourself with Fey Feathers the School of Abjuration is here for you. Along with being an Abjuration Savant (letting you learn Abjuration spells in half the time for half the cost) you have an Arcane Ward to shield you: when you cast a leveled Abjuration spell you can also create a magical ward on yourself that lasts until you finish a long rest. The ward has a hit point maximum equal to twice your Wizard level plus your Intelligence modifier. (So currently 6 HP.)

Whenever you take damage, the ward takes the damage instead. If the damage reduces the ward to 0 hit points, you take any remaining damage. Whenever you cast an abjuration spell of 1st level or higher, the ward regains a number of hit points equal to twice the level of the spell.

You also learn 2 more spells so how about some Abjuration spells? Shield is a reaction Abjuration spell to protect you from melee attacks, while Absorb Elements is a reaction Abjuration spell to protect you from magic. AR and MR!

(Artist unknown. Made for Riot Games.)

LEVEL 5 - WIZARD 3

3rd level Wizards can learn second level spells but I’d actually suggest learning Alarm back at 1st level. Why Alarm? It’s an Abjuration spell you can cast as a Ritual, so you can just cast it continuously to refresh your Arcane Ward even without preparing the spell. For your other spell Mirror Image is a quick and easy way to keep the baddies from whacking you.

LEVEL 6 - WIZARD 4

4th level Wizards get an Ability Score Improvement but I’m actually going to suggest the Observant feat to increase your uneven Wisdom score. Every Support’s gotta pay attention to their wards!

You can also learn another two spells along with a cantrip: take Dancing Lights to set up a stage! As for spells you’re the loud and proud sort so to make a Grand Entrance grab Knock to make way for your party! Meanwhile if you want to keep yourself and your allies safe from ranged harm Warding Wind will do just that and more, but it will also make it harder for Xayah to hit. "What the hell were you thinking?" "Back there?" "Yes." "I wasn't. I never think. Ugh... thinking."

LEVEL 7 - WIZARD 5

5th level Wizards can learn third level spells so it’s time to grab our first mass charm: Hypnotic Pattern, which isn’t an Enchantment spell but in fact an Illusion spell (which will be important later.) If you want to get down with The Quickness however there’s nothing better than some good old-fashioned Haste.

LEVEL 8 - WIZARD 6

6th level Abjuration Wizards can finally protect their party and their girlfriend thanks to Projected Ward, letting you use your reaction to reduce the damage an ally takes with your Arcane Ward. “Thank you honey!”

You can also learn two more spells from the Wizard spell list. Xayah need to call someone? Help her with Sending. Want to go full AP for the traditional D&D Grand Entrance? Fireball.

(Artwork by Riot Games)

LEVEL 9 - CLERIC 3

We’ve spent enough time down in Nerdsville so how about some more Cleric levels? Third level Clerics can prepare second level spells like Aid to boost up your teammates with a Knight’s Vow. Speaking of Knight’s Vow Warding Bond will let you bond with Xayah so you take some damage for her.

Additionally as an Order Domain Cleric you have Hold Person and Zone of Truth innately prepared. Keep enemies at bay and let them know the truth!

LEVEL 10 - CLERIC 4

4th level Clerics get an Ability Score Improvement and I’m going to suggest further increasing your Wisdom, as it’ll help us more with our Cleric abilities which will be important later.

You also learn another cantrip such as Mending to keep your outfit in check. Additionally you can prepare two new spells with your increased Wisdom: Lesser Restoration can give you or Xayah some Tenacity when needed, but I’d suggest holding off on the other slot.

LEVEL 11 - CLERIC 5

5th level Clerics who use Turn Undead now Destroy Undead of CR 1/2 or lower. It’s unlikely that you’ll be fighting CR 1/2 enemies at level 11 but hey: it’s still useful!

What’s more useful however is that you can now prepare third level spells! As an Order Cleric you have Mass Healing Word for Redemption, or Slow to... slow the enemy. Maybe you grabbed Righteous Glory? Who knows.

Regardless the important thing is your charms so grab Fast Friends to charm single targets and Incite Greed to get a whole crowd to follow your Fey Feathers!

You may be asking why we’re grabbing Enchantment Spells of all the spells that Clerics get a third level. Well for one it’s because you’re The Charmer, but more importantly...

LEVEL 12 - CLERIC 6

At 6th level you become an Embodiment of the Law as an Order Domain Cleric. The law of dance that is! If you cast an Enchantment spell of first level or higher you can choose to make that spell a bonus action instead, and can do it a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier. You regain these fast charms after a long rest.

This was the main reason I went into Order Domain. Being able to quickly charm foes is textbook for Rakan, which made this subclass ideal for this build.

You can also prepare another spell at this level: Dispel Magic with Mikael's Crucible in case of any strong debuffs. Also more Abjuration spells for your shield!

(Artwork by Yusuh on DeviantArt. You have no idea how hard it is to find solo artwork for these two.)

LEVEL 13 - WIZARD 7

7th level Wizards can learn 4th level spells like Confusion; something that fills my allies whenever I take Rakan into the jungle. For your other spell I’d actually suggest hopping back to third level for Counterspell to keep your allies safe with more Abjuration. Trust me it’ll be important later.

LEVEL 14 - WIZARD 8

At 8th level you get an Ability Score Improvement and despite being a Wizard we’ve kinda been ignoring Intelligence: let’s fix that with a +2 so our Ward can be stronger as can our Wizard spells.

You can also learn two new spells: more Charms? Charm Monster, so even the mighty Volibear can’t resist you. Other than that there are tons of great Wizard spells but I’m never going to say no to Dimension Door.

LEVEL 15 - WIZARD 9

9th level Wizards can cast 5th level spells like Dominate Person for charms on-par with mind control! (Because it is Mind Control.) For more combative 5th level spells Synaptic Status will let you bedazzle everyone in a 20 foot radius sphere, making it harder to hit as they’re stunned by your beauty. Rakan can have some AP; as a treat.

LEVEL 16 - WIZARD 10

10th level Abjuration Wizards get Improved Abjuration, letting them add their proficiency bonus to any ability check to Dispel Magic (such as with Dispel Magic or Counterspell.) If you wish you can also have Bless active on yourself for a d4 + 5 to any counterspell check. When you consider that the DC is equal to 10 plus the spell’s level and you have up to a +9 to the check it’s more than likely that you can be a Guardian against any dangerous spells!

You also get another cantrip at this level: do you already have too many cantrips? Yeah probably, but to get more props for your dance take Minor Illusion.

As for your two new Wizard spells Hold Monster is like Hold Person, but it works on Baron! And how about something to keep Zoe in her dimension? Banishment is a 4th level spell that works like a super CC that knocks an enemy out of the fight completely. You can’t attack them while they’re on another plane, but if they’re not native to the plane and spend a full minute Banished they go back to their original plane.

(Artwork by Riot Games)

LEVEL 17 - WIZARD 11

11th Wizards can prepare 6th level spells. Want to keep Xayah safe from a falling temple and shadow ninjas? Globe of Invulnerability blocks all spells of one level lower than you used to cast the spell. In general. The globe surrounds you but you can dive in to protect Xayah. But what if you just want to dance? Look no further than Otto's Irresistible Dance! It’s a spell that forces everyone to dance; that’s all you need to know! But seriously read the description of your spells.

LEVEL 18 - WIZARD 12

12th level Wizards get another Ability Score Improvement: seeing as we are going deep down the Wizard path it only makes sense to get a bit more Intelligence.

You can also learn 2 more spells: Contingency will let you cast a spell in case of emergency. Choose a spell of 5th level or lower that can target yourself and a trigger for the spell: when the trigger happens the spell activates. Backup plans are more of Xayah’s thing, but something like “Banish myself if I’m about to die because Xayah would kill herself if I died” is a good plan.

There are tons of other good Wizard spells; so many that I can’t choose any that would particularly fit Rakan or the build as a whole. You have a limited number of prepared spells anyways so take something you think will be useful.

LEVEL 19 - WIZARD 13

13th level Wizards can prepare 7th level spells: want to do a conjoined recall? Teleport will let you and up to 8 willing creates teleport to a location, such as your fountain. There’s a table of places you can end up which I suggest looking at for the full details of the spell, because it’s a rather overwhelming spell to explain without copy-pasting the description. But because I further suffer with what spells to give you in a high leveled Wizard build how about a fancy light show? Crown of Stars lets seven stars orbit your head which you can shoot out at enemies or light up the night!

LEVEL 20 - WIZARD 14

Our capstone is the 14th level of Abjuration Wizard for some much needed MR. Spell Resistance lets you resist all damage coming from spells and have advantage on all saving throws against spells!

Speaking of spells you can learn your final two but... pick for yourself this time! Xayah will love you despite all your faults, and I’m sure that you can make a choice for yourself. This is my way of saying I’m sick of picking Wizard spells.

FINAL BUILD

PROS

You will see my dance - You are the master of keeping your friends safe with charms to keep fights from happening and both shields and heals to keep your allies from being hurt.

Look at me now! - You are incredibly elusive: 18 AC (Scale Mail + Shield) you can bump up with the Shield spell, a 32 HP ward to protect you and your allies, and even Shifting for Temp HP and more dodging.

You put us in a cage? I put you in the ground - And of course as a caster with full caster levels you are more than capable of putting down the hurt, especially due to the added efficiency of being able to cast two spells in a turn (well a leveled spell and a cantrip) thanks to Embodiment of the Law.

CONS

I don't have to remember the plan if you do - You are essentially mixing two spellcasters who want you to use extremely dedicated spell lists. Abjuration spells to make Abjuration Wizard work and Enchantment Spells to make Order Cleric work. Sure you don’t only need to cast Enchantment and Abjuration spells but there also aren’t that many Abjuration spells to power up your ward.

I can't die looking this good! - The vast majority of your levels being in Wizard combined with a 0 Constitution score results in a health bar that’s easily under 100. You may have advantage on all saving throws but Power Word Kill has no save.

Woo! You animals are dumb! - The other problem with mixing two full casters together is that you can’t get the best of both worlds. You aren’t getting 9th level spells in general (even if you get the slots for ‘em) and both your Wisdom and your Intelligence aren’t maxed out. Sure if you aren’t using Standard Array that isn’t an issue but you’re bound to drop something.

But if you were perfect why would you need Xayah? She completes you, and you complete her. Fight along side her and together you’ll be unstoppable. There’s nothing you can’t defeat with the power of love... But a plan would also probably be good. "I think Xayah told me to improvise. At least, that's the only part of the plan I remember."

(Artwork by Riot Games)

[chilling-seavey]

Passchendaele WW2 Extension - Tokens of Love

Mum,

I think I’m in love. Truly. I’ve seen her a few times since March when the girls from the ATA come to bring more planes and since our first meeting it’s only been better and better. Time goes by so quickly with her and I always hate to say goodbye. I feel like my stomach erupts in blossom with the sweetest flowers when she’s around and she’s so good at keeping me on my toes. I think you’d like her. She’s a tough one.

I just had to write and tell you because Richie’s getting so annoyed with me going on and on about her. It feels so real, Mum. In a word full of despair and war and death, being with her makes me feel more alive than ever. Was this what it felt like with you and Dad? When the world felt like you were at the gates of hell but yet everything was fine as long as you had each other? Or maybe I’m acting childish… I’ve never felt like this before.

I can’t wait to bring her home to you.

Your loving son,

Charlie

October 19, 1941

The familiar sound of airplanes overhead pulled a few men from the buildings, Charlie at the head of them all and completely leaving Richard behind in his haste. The ATA women landed the fresh planes skillfully and taxied to the tarmac and Charlie waited with bated breath for any sign of Mary. When he saw her smaller form emerge from one of the planes, his face broke out in a grin and they ran for each other.

He bent down a little to scoop her right off the ground and spun her around just enough to make her laugh and cling onto him.

“Hi, Charlie.” she giggled sweetly as he set her back down on her feet.

“I missed you terribly.” Charlie whispered, letting his hands fall into her own.

“I missed you too.” Mary smiled. Her grin faltered as she stared up at him and then reached a hand up to brush gently over the cut on his cheek, “What happened?”

“Nothing.” Charlie assured her, “Bumped myself getting into the plane the other day. It’s alright.”

“Does it hurt?”

“Nah.” Charlie blushed lightly at her concern and she leaned up to press a soft kiss to his cheek. “Wanna head out?” he whispered.

Mary nodded and they slunk away from the crowd of pilots and across the tarmac, hand in hand. Charlie led them between the buildings of the air base to their usual hiding spot behind one of the bunk houses by the fence, far away from anyone else. They slid to the ground together and Charlie tucked his arm around her shoulders to pull her close as their eyes met and they shared small smiles.

“You ever going to sneak me away to do something other than kissing?” Mary asked teasingly.

“Possibly…but I like kissing you.” Charlie argued lightly, smiling softly as she licked her lips to hide her smitten grin.

She reached a hand up to slide to the back of his neck and pulled his lips to hers. Charlie couldn’t help but grin against her mouth as he kissed her slowly, setting his other hand on her waist to shuffle her a little closer on the grass. They shared gentle chasté kisses in the afternoon sun, hidden from the rest of the base and their respective troops until it felt like it was just them in the world. Cliché? Maybe. But in a world filled with war, it was the only hint of real normal life that they could hold onto.

After a bit, Mary pulled back with a shy smile and Charlie reached down to swipe the pad of his thumb over her soft lips, watching how he tugged at it lightly and it fell back into place. She smiled at him and then rested her head on his shoulder cozily with her arm draped around his middle. Charlie was sure his heart was going to beat right out of his chest.

“I told my mum about you.”

He didn’t mean to say it but it just slipped out. There was a pause. He was sure he had scared her but Mary just smiled and nuzzled into his neck some more.

“I told my mum about you too.”

They sat together quietly, mirrored soft smiles on their lips as they basked in the autumn sun and wrapped up in each others arms. Charlie wondered what she told her mother about him. Did she say he was tall? That his father was a veteran himself? That he was the best pilot on the base? It didn’t really matter to him though because he liked to think he knew her feelings pretty well.

“When this blasted war is over…” Mary spoke quietly, “are you going to take me out on a real date?”

Charlie cracked a small smile, “Of course.”

“And not just to make out with me in the garden.” she teased.

“What’s wrong with that? Sounds like a good date to me.” Charlie chuckled before tilting her chin up to connect their smiling lips again.

Mary only laughed into it, her hand grabbing onto the front of his uniform that almost exactly matched her own. He nipped at her bottom lip and she hummed contentedly into his mouth as she opened up for him, letting him slip a bit of tongue against hers. Barely a minute passed before there was a shout from the distance that the women had to head back to the city.

Charlie whined softly as she broke their kiss, “Don’t leave again.”

Mary kissed his cheek and patted her hand against his chest sweetly, “Come on. I’ll be back before you know it. Walk me over.”

They got up from the ground and dusted themselves off before walking hand in hand back towards the main tarmac. Charlie made sure to walk slower than normal just to hang onto the last little bit of time he had left with her but Mary only laughed and tugged at his hand to try and speed him up.

“Come on, Charlie. I gotta go.” she laughed at his obvious dreariness.

He only slid his opposite arm around her middle to pull her back towards him and planted a strong kiss right to her lips in the wide-open air. A few pilots in the near distance whistled at the sight and Mary pulled back with a furious blush yet still had a cheesy grin on her face regardless as she stared up at Charlie. She slid her hand into the neckline of her uniform and unclasped her necklace before passing it into his palm. He stared down at the small M pendant on the silver chain.

“Little good luck charm and something to remember me by until we see each other again.” Mary whispered.

“I already have your lucky plane.” he teased.

“And you already have my heart.”

Charlie bit back his smitten grin as he folded his fingers securely around the necklace and leaned down to kiss her again. She raised her hands to his cheeks to keep him close, lingering on his lips for a moment longer until her friends were shouting after her to hurry up. They said their soft goodbyes before she was running to the trucks and joined her friends to head back to the city.

Charlie found his usual spot beside Richard as a group of them waved the girls off. When they were gone and the pilots started dispersing back around the base, Richard turned to his best friend and glanced down at his hand.

“What did she give you?”

Charlie opened his fingers to show him the necklace.

“Christ,” Richard tisked, “our cockpit is going to be a shrine of this girl sooner rather than later.”

“Not true.” Charlie frowned as he pocketed the necklace.

“It’s alright. I’ve come to terms that you’ve replaced me.”

“You are not being replaced!” Charlie laughed. “You’re always my best friend.”

“You don’t sneak off with me anymore.”

“What? You wanna kiss me behind the bunkhouses?” Charlie teased, only laughing harder at Richard’s shocked face.

“Hell no. I know what goes on back there.” Richard shoved his shoulder lightly before breaking into a teasing mock, “Oh, Mary, I love you so much, I cannot live without you. Oh, Charlie, you’re the pilot of my heart forever and ever and ever.”

Richard added some kissing sounds for emphasis – earning a few weird glances from a few of the other men who were nearby – and Charlie just shoved his best friend away from him, embarrassed.

“Fuck off!” Charlie laughed shyly and tried to walk away but Richie followed after him quickly.

“I’ve kept all your love letters and I’ve told my Mummy about wanting to marry you. I’m a poor pathetic little lovesick boy about you, Mary!”

Queue more kissing noises and Charlie’s desperate attempt to shut his best friend up by turning and slapping a hand over his mouth. Richie only laughed behind his palm, his grey eyes sparkling cheekily at Charlie’s obviously embarrassed face.

“Maybe you’ll understand love when you’re older.” Charlie retorted.

Richard’s eyes went wide in shock and he shoved his best friend’s shoulders back, “Bastard! You’re only a month older than me!”

Taglist: @randomlimelightxxx​ @hopinglimelight​ @jonahlovescoffee​ @hiya-its-amber​ @chanelwonders​

[looney-joonie]

Genre: Angst / Fluff

Pairing:  Soulmate!Seonghwa x reader

Warnings: N/A

Word Count: 781

A/N: I've had this one written for a while. Enjoy!

Summary: You met your soulmate a while back, and yet you're getting married to another man today. What will happen when your new husband may 'kiss the bride'?

[ 3:25 pm]

Staring at your blurry reflection, you can only think about one man, Park Seonghwa. Your once-in-a-lifetime soulmate. Your heart burns with knowledge you've kept to yourself since you'd discovered how soulmates work. Not only had you managed to research it, but you had been able to keep it all a secret. The plan you concocted would be ruined if anyone had suspected anything.

The tears in your eye dissipate as you blink them away, you flood your lungs with air to help calm your nerves. You needed to be completely calm for this to go well. Staring at your gorgeous wedding dress in the mirror, you trace your eyes down the lacy bodice clinging to your every curve to the flare just above your knees, the mermaid-esque dress helped to enhance the figure you had kept hidden all your life.

"Y/n, my darling, it's time." blasts its way to your ears as your mother enters the room. Plastering a fake smile on your face, you turn to her and nod. She offers you a hand which you take with internal distaste before being led to the doors of the ornate cathedral's sanctuary. The sound of Here Comes the Bride drifts through a crack in the door causing a wave of nausea to travel through you. Shaking it off, you give your mother the signal to which she opens the door. You stride down the isle as rehearsed to your intended, Kim Hongjoong.

It's when you finally reach the alter that you spot Seonghwa, the best man who looks as though he is dead inside. His teary eyes, mistaken as happiness for his friend, are caused by the feeling of his heard burning with sadness. Your heart beats hard in your chest and makes you want to forget the whole plan and just run away with him, but you know that in the end neither of you will make it if you don't follow through.

Turning your body towards the priest, he begins to talk as each moment ticking by traps you in your fate little by little.

[4:17 pm]

It was as if a bomb had gone off the moment your lips connected to Hongjoong's. And when you kissed him to become man and wife you really hadn't planned for there to be this much screaming.

The shock wave that had pulsed out of your heart and blasted its way through the cathedral, only stopping when Seonghwa started screaming. Many other screams fill the air, though Seonghwa's scream is the only one you can focus on. His heart threatens to burn him up from the inside out due to your betrayal. That's how it works for souls who are connected by true love. Regardless of the circumstances, when one soulmate weds another, the treachery of their action burns a hole in the other's soul and body so that the betrayer will be empty for eternity as they search for the one they can never have again. Even with extensive research you'd only found one solution to such an action: self-inflicted death. Hiking up the flare of your dress, you remove the intricate dagger from the sheath you had strapped to your left calf just before the ceremony had begun.

Aiming it at your heart, you prepare to end your life until you feel a trembling hand on your shoulder. Hunched over, Seonghwa looks up at you with water-less eyes, bloodshot from pain, "Don't-" he gasps for breath, "don't do it." You cup his face, tears streaming from your eyes and gently kiss lips. Suddenly, the entire room goes quiet.

Glancing around, you realize that time has stopped and so has Seonghwa's pain as he stands up completely fine albeit totally confused. A gentle voice drifts into your ears, "You have passed the test. Many people don't realize that all it takes to complete your bond is a simple, heartfelt kiss."

Both you and Seonghwa look around, then at each other in bewilderment due to being unable to find the source of the voice. As if trying to hold back laughter, the voice begins speaking again, "I know you two are confused. All will be explained in a few moments, but first you must enter the portal to your forever." As if on queue a sizzling sound followed by sparks summon an ethereal door. Reaching forward, you push the door open to see sparkling violet water crash against a shore of blush colored sand, the sky shining brightly from its many stars. The world beckons you and Seonghwa towards what you had only thought a dream. Without another moment of hesitation, both of you step through the door and head towards your destiny.

[argylemnwrites]

It Couldn’t Wait Another Moment - Chapter 19

Pairing: Drake Walker x MC (Riley Liu)

Book: The Royal Romance (Canon Divergent from Book 2, Chapter 15)

Word Count: ~6000

Rating: R (language, as always)

Summary: Drake clears the air with another woman in his family, and Liam comes to some decisions about his future.

Author’s Note: Some computer issues were preventing me from accessing my google doc (my absolute nightmare), so sorry I didn’t quite get this posted on Saturday, but I’m making sure this gets up before the Choices Big Game Blitz fics start dominating my queue. Happy Superbowl Sunday, everyone!

This series diverges from TRR canon, where instead of waiting to discuss his relationship with Riley until their last night in NYC, leaving her a note while Liam is proposing to her, Drake tackles this topic as soon as possible after Tariq makes his statement and Riley’s name is cleared. To catch up on this series, you can find the previous chapters in my masterlist (link is located in my bio).

Drake shuffled through Austin-Bergstrom airport, making his way over to baggage claim. He didn’t know what would be worse - his mother being there and acting like this was in any way normal, or her not being there at all. As he rounded the corner and headed for carousel 4, he saw her there, looking nowhere near as anxious as he felt. When she caught sight of him, she waved frantically and then dashed over to give him a big hug.

“Oh Drake, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, squeezing him tightly.

Drake returned the hug, but it felt rather awkward, like they were acting out the parts of a mother and son reuniting at the airport. It didn’t feel natural.

“Hey, Mom. Savannah says ‘hi.’”

“Of course she does. Tell her she needs to bring that baby boy of hers out for a visit!”

Drake nodded and followed his mother out to the truck, throwing his luggage in the backseat before climbing into the passenger seat. As his mom backed the truck out of the short term parking spot and headed toward the exit, he tried to figure out whether he should start this conversation now or if it would be better to wait until they were at the ranch. He probably should have tried to come up with some sort of plan for this on his way out here, but it was too late for that now.

“Are you sure you can only stay one night?” Bianca asked once they had gotten onto the freeway, “We haven’t seen you in ages and it would be nice if you could stay for a bit.”

Drake shook his head, “I need to be in New York tomorrow night. Someone’s expecting me.”

“Liam?”

“No,” Drake replied, turning to stare out the window. He did not want to discuss Riley and how up in the air things were in his relationship. He came here for a purpose, and he couldn’t let himself get sidetracked onto another topic. His mother had an uncanny ability to redirect the conversation.

“Well, regardless of how long you’ll be here, this is a lovely surprise,” she said, clearly looking to keep things light and friendly. Drake cringed slightly, knowing he planned to take things in a very different direction. He took a deep breath before he started. It was now or never.

“Mom, I… well I actually came to Texas because I kind of need to talk to you about something.”

“Okay. What is it?”

“Well, it’s kind of a lot of things, actually.”

“Drake, are you in some sort of legal trouble?”

“No! Why would you think that?”

“I don’t know, sweetie. You’re just being very cagey and I don’t understand what else would have you so jumpy and flying in on a whim.”

“This isn’t exactly a whim, Mom. I’ve thought about coming to talk to you about this for a long time now.”

“Okaaaayyy…” she responded, turning her head briefly to look at him as she dragged out the word, then snapping her eyes back to the road ahead. 

Drake tilted his head back slightly and closed his eyes, hoping that would make getting the words out a little easier, “I’ve been carrying this around with me for a long time. Trying to figure out how to say it without being an asshole to you. But I think it’s just gotten to the point where I need to tell you. There’s not a good way, really.

“When you left Cordonia, when you left Sav and me in Cordonia, well… you hurt me. And I’ve been carrying around that hurt for almost half my life now. And I can’t keep doing it anymore. It’s not healthy and I just need to get it off my chest.”

“Oh, Drake,” his mother replied, “I’m so sorry. I thought I was doing right by you and Savannah, leaving you with Liam and your friends. You seemed so happy there, I didn’t want to uproot your lives any more than they already had been by your father’s death.”

Drake ran his hand over his face. He had kind of expected this - some superficial justifications and a light apology. But that was like slapping a bandage on a gunshot wound - it wasn’t actually going to help anyone. If they left it at that, he would leave Texas tomorrow the same as if he had not come at all. He had to keep going, even if it meant that he destroyed any semblance of a relationship he had with his mother.

“Okay, but we were just kids. For Christ’s sake, Savannah was only 12 when you moved out. We had just lost our father and then less than a year later we lost our mother too, by her choice. It’s bullshit that you even attempt to justify this, Mom. And you know it.”

She didn’t say anything, but he heard her flip her blinker on, getting off the highway at the next exit and pulling into a gas station parking lot, turning off the truck before she spoke.

“Drake, I’m sorry,” she bit out, her voice cracking, “But I was in no shape to be a mother. I was mourning and I had no support system. I needed my sister.”

Drake shook his head, “Sorry Mom, but that’s just too damn bad. When you’re a parent you can’t just fuck off because things are tough. You were mourning? Well, what about me and Sav? We were mourning, too. You might have needed Aunt Lee, but we needed our mother.”

His mother was crying in earnest now, but Drake felt like he couldn’t stop talking, that all this old pain was just flooding out of him, “Tough shit that you were in pain. Your kids were hurting just as much. What kind of mother just leaves her children behind? How could you do that to us? Didn’t you miss your kids at all?

“I was 15, Mom. Fifteen years old and I suddenly had to figure out how to not only grow up and face the world all on my own, but I had to help Savannah, too. And you know what? It fucked me up. It made me wonder what was so wrong with me that my own mother couldn’t stand to raise me. It made me scared to get close to women, wondering if they were going to leave me too. It broke my trust and made me cynical.

“And I’ve let this shit sit inside of me for too damn long. I let myself grow bitter and cynical and jaded, all before I turned 30. And I just needed to talk to you, to actually talk to you. Not gloss over our family’s messy past because that’s easier, but actually let you know what I thought, because otherwise this resentment is just going to keep growing and growing.”

Drake took a deep breath, trying to gain some semblance of control over this situation. He hadn’t meant to just dump years worth of pain onto his mother on the drive to the ranch, but in some ways, it was probably best that he had just kept talking. He didn’t exactly give himself a chance to back down or close himself off.

His mother wasn’t saying anything, just sitting there with her hands covering her eyes. Drake opened the glove box and found her some tissues, passing the packet to her. She grabbed them, swiping under both of her eyes before she spoke.

“Well, if you’ve said what you needed to say, I can drive you back to the airport. No reason for you to even stay tonight, it sounds like.”

“That isn’t everything I need to say, Mom. I didn’t fly out here just to hurt you. I just… I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my life. About what I want. About how to let myself be happy. And I think I realized that I need to move forward in a lot of areas. I’ve been stuck in a rut for a very long time, and it’s time to let myself change. So, I need to stop letting my past define my relationships. I need to stop letting my fear of abandonment drive my actions. And that means I need to make some changes to my relationship with you.”

“What kind of changes?” his mother asked, still sniffling slightly.

Drake shrugged, trying to gauge how to phrase it, “I don’t know yet. I mean, I know I just told you how much pain you’ve caused me, but I still love you, Mom. I just… if we decide we want to be a part of each other’s lives, I can’t keep doing it like this, getting one phone call from you a year on my birthday. I can’t have my mom acting like a distant great aunt or something.”

She shook her head, “I didn’t call because I felt so guilty. Talking to you was just a reminder of my failures as a mother. I assumed you saw it the same way and wanted nothing to do with me. I didn’t want to put pressure on you.”

“Well, you’re right. A handful of phone calls aren’t going to erase the past or anything. But I don’t know how things here get any better if we both just keep doing what we’re doing.”

“I want to be a part of your life, Drake,” she insisted, reaching over and grabbing his hand, “I really do want to know you and Savannah as adults.”

“This has to go both ways, then. A two way street, okay?”

His mother nodded emphatically, “You’re right. I’ll book a flight out to Cordonia soon, okay?”

“About that…” Drake said, “I, uh… I kind of moved.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Er, I sort of live in New York City now.”

“Maybe I’m just missing something here, but how do you ‘sort of’ live anywhere?”

Drake sighed. Apparently, he was going to have to get into this, at least a bit. “Well, I kind of met someone, and I moved to New York to be with her, but things are kind of rocky between us at the moment and the move is pretty recent. I’m not exactly sure it’s gonna stick.”

 She nodded slowly, staring off to the side as if she was searching for more information to make better sense of Drake’s ramblings. “So might you be heading back to Cordonia soon?”

Drake just shook his head, “Nah, not right away at least. Like I said, I gotta make some changes in my life. I don’t know that I’ll stay in New York if things don’t work out there, but I probably won’t head straight back to Cordonia. Too easy to slide back into my old habits there.”

“New York’s your first choice, though?”

“I mean, she’s my first choice, and she’s in New York, so yeah,” he replied with a shrug.

“Okay.”

“That’s all you have to say?”

His mother gave him a watery smile, “It sounds like you’re working through some things right now. Believe it or not, I very much get that feeling. Given everything you’ve told me today, I think I’m mainly just glad you even shared that much with me.”

He let her words sink in for a little bit. He couldn’t be sure, but it seemed like a peace offering. Like his mother was trying to express interest in whatever part of himself he was willing to share at this point. He wasn’t naive enough to think that suddenly he would have the world’s most loving, attentive mother after today. He knew there was a high probability that they would end up drifting apart going forward. But that was okay. At least he’d put himself out there, shared his fears knowing full well that it might not make anything better. He’d held onto those fears, kept them far too buried for way too long.

“Well… I will let you know where I end up, okay?”

“I’d like that. Now, how about we get heading back to the ranch? I’ve got some chili in the slow cooker for you.”

“That sounds nice, Mom. Are you okay to drive?” he asked, gesturing to her red eyes and tear streaked cheeks. She just smiled and nodded, turning the key in the ignition and pulling the truck back onto the road.

“Oh, Leona’s head is going to explode when she hears you’re moving to one of the biggest cities on the planet,” she said after a few minutes of driving, the thought clearly just popping into her head. Drake laughed, picturing his surly aunt’s reaction. It was the first time he could remember laughing with his mother since before his father died. And while he knew their relationship was still an absolute mess, well at least there was one more good moment between the two of them now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Madeleine rolled her shoulders back and took a steadying breath before knocking on the door to Liam’s office. She just had a terrible feeling about this meeting he’d requested with her. The only topic she could envision him wanting to discuss with her was their wedding, and the tone he’d used did not imply a routine planning discussion.

She wasn’t an idiot. She knew she wasn’t his first choice as a wife. She probably wasn’t even his second choice if the amount of time he was spending with Olivia was any indication of who he actually liked to involve in his life. But she’d tried to be there for him. She’d learned from Leo that forcing things with Constantine’s sons got you nowhere. She’d let him carry on with Riley Liu. She’d been at his side through all the terrorist attacks and his father’s death, through calls for abdication and threats on both of their lives. For God’s sake, she’d taken a bullet for him. She’d hoped she’d be able to prove her worth as a political ally. But if the sinking feeling she’d had in her stomach was any indication, all she had done had not been enough.

“Come in,” Liam called out, his voice muffled by the door. She strode through with poise and purpose. She was not going down as some timid waif of a woman. She would face him with dignity.

Liam was not at his desk, but instead on one of the couches. They had never had a meeting that wasn’t at his desk, and the change in the setting unnerved Madeleine. But she wasn’t going to let him see that, not now. “Good evening, Liam,” she said, careful to keep her voice even and steady.

“Good evening, Madeleine. Please, have a seat,” he said, gesturing to the opposite couch. She walked over and delicately sat down, crossing her ankles as she did so. She knew how to comport herself, not that such behavior was going to get her anywhere.

“Would you like something to drink?” Liam asked, running his index finger along the top of his own glass of whiskey.

“That depends, Liam. Am I going to need something to drink?”

He paused for just a moment, “I would venture to say yes.”

Madeleine nodded tersely, trying to take deep breaths without being too obvious. It was one thing to suspect your engagement was getting called off, it was another to have it confirmed. She had already been through this once before, but it still stung. “Vodka,” she said after a moment, after she was sure her voice wouldn’t crack.

Liam stood and walked over to a sideboard, crouching down and pulling out a bottle of Belvedere. “Any mixers or ice?”

“No, thank you,” she replied, accepting the liquor with a nod as Liam handed it to her before returning to his seat.

“Shall we get this over with?” Madeleine asked.

“Madeleine, please. I at least want to discuss this with you.”

“What’s to discuss, Liam? I don’t see the point in dragging this out. I’ve been through this before, remember?”

“I would like to talk this through at least. I want you to understand where I’m coming from.”

Madeleine let out a little laugh, “I don’t particularly need to understand your reasons, Liam. Quite frankly, you purging your soul and looking for absolution is not going to make me feel better. It’s just selfish.”

He actually smiled slightly at that comment, just for a brief second, before he let his calm, diplomatic expression return to his face. It infuriated her all the more, that her pain and frustration was apparently a source of amusement for him.

“It’s interesting that you would use that phrasing,” he said after a moment, staring at the whiskey in his glass. “Madeleine, I just have to ask, why do you even want to marry me?” He turned his eyes up to meet hers at the end of his question, almost as if he thought he was about to witness some moment of revelation. It was insulting, quite frankly.

“No. You do not get to twist my words to make me sound like a crown chaser. I have been preparing to be queen my entire life. I am qualified in every way for this job. You would never fault a man for going after his professional dreams.”

Liam tilted his head back and forth, looking at her intently, “I might if he pursued them at the expense of all other realms of his life. Madeleine, do you really think being queen would bring you enough happiness to compensate for the extreme misery it would bring you in your personal life?”

Madeleine shook her head, letting out a frustrated snort. Everyone saw the ways that Leo and Liam were different, but right now, they’d never seemed more similar to her. They both had wanted her to be the one to end things. Leo had just ghosted her repeatedly, and when he did come around, there was always a new woman to throw in her face. Liam at least was more subtle, clearly trying to convince her that this was her idea. It was still infuriating in its own right, though.

“Liam, if you aren’t going to marry me, at least have the courage to call off our engagement yourself. You don’t get to dump me and have me do all the work for you.”

“Madeleine, this isn’t a decision I made lightly or on a whim. All I am trying to do is minimize the pain and discomfort here for all parties involved.”

“Well, that’s just too bad, Liam. You don’t get to break up with someone without hurting them.”

He sighed heavily, “Fair enough. I just hoped you might be able to see the positive aspects here. That you might be able to find a silver lining.”

“How could having my dreams ripped from me yet again be a positive, Liam? Explain that one to me, please,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Well, you won’t be trapped in a loveless marriage and forced to raise children with a man you’re indifferent to at best,” he replied, shrugging his shoulders slightly, “That seems like it could be worth something.”

“Liam, be realistic. I will never marry for love. Any marriage for me will be a political one. You at least would have been a tolerable husband.”

“Why can’t you marry for love?”

“Be serious.”

“I am. I don’t see why you act like this is some impossibility.”

She just shook her head, “How are you still such a romantic? The woman you love chose your best friend over you.”

Liam raised his eyebrows at that comment, “Careful, Madeleine. There is little reason for either of us to resort to petty personal attacks here. But suffice it to say, that while Riley’s rejection was painful, it did not change my belief that there is love to be found out there, and I mean love for all of us.”

“Well, that’s not been my experience. And quite frankly, I don’t see how it’s been yours either.”

“Just because I am not currently in a loving relationship doesn’t mean that I don’t see a world full of potential for love and connection.”

She shook her head and let out a short little breath, “For a highly educated king, you are so naive. Nearly foolish.”

“And you have a very stubborn and narrow worldview. If someone hasn’t found love in the world, that’s either because they are blind to it or they reject it anytime it’s offered and push it away before it has a chance to grow. I think we both know in your case it’s the latter.”

“Awful presumptuous of you, assuming that anyone has even been open to loving me.”

Liam stared straight at her, the disbelief evident in his eyes, “Do Penelope and Kiara not count?”

“What? They aren’t attracted to women,” Madeleine retorted, waving her hand dismissively.

His eyes widened and his eyebrows shot up at that, “I can’t speak to their sexual orientation, nor was I trying to, Madeleine. Love can be platonic, you know. You might have found that with Kiara or Penelope if you hadn’t berated them at every opportunity. Instead, they both chose to return to their homes. Or Hana, who has never been anything but kind and compassionate, could have been a true friend to you just as she has to so many others. Gentle Hana, who decided she couldn’t live under the same roof as you, would have been your friend if you hadn’t constantly cut her down and aimed to hurt her.

“I know your parents were never some source of unconditional familial love. Believe me, Madeleine, I can comprehend that. But it is your choice to continue to be harsh and compassionless with all your peers. If you can’t see that, I don’t know what to tell you.

“I am sorry that you have to go through a failed engagement for a second time, Madeleine. I truly am. But that isn’t enough of a reason to marry you. And I honestly believe this is the best chance at happiness for the both of us.”

“No, Liam. It’s the best chance at happiness for you. At least own that fact.”

After a few seconds of silence, Liam finally spoke, “You’re right, this is something I am doing for myself. But I hope that someday you’ll see that this opens up the potential for you to find something better as well.”

“Why now?” Madeleine asked, tapping her fingers against her untouched glass of vodka, “Why lead me on for months?”

“I probably never should have gotten engaged to you in the first place. I did so in a moment of desperation where I saw no other options for either of us. If you want to hold something against me, that is what it should be. But I am not going to let that lapse in judgement determine the course of the rest of my life. I do not want to be a bitter king who only has a family out of obligation. I want children that are born into a home of love and warmth. I may sacrifice many things for Cordonia, but I’ve decided this is one liberty I’m going to take for myself.

“Now, as far as the more practical matters go, if you want to be the one to announce the end of our engagement, I will happily grant you that opportunity. You can prepare a statement; I would just ask you send it to Stefan for review before you go to the press, but I understand if you prefer to release a statement independently. I can also send you to my private island for a while if you’d like to avoid the press or your parents. I want to allow you time to collect yourself away from external pressures if you desire. Just let me know by this weekend, alright?”

“So that’s it? That’s all you have to say?”

“Yes, Madeleine. I honestly think we’re done here. Don’t you?”

“Of course, Your Majesty,” she said as she rose, downing her entire glass of vodka in one, then striding to the door. Once she was on the other side of the door, she pinched her eyes closed, fighting off waves of self-loathing and despair at her repeated failure. It was like Leo all over again, but this time, there was no back up plan. She was left entirely directionless, and now she had to figure out what she was supposed to do with her life now that the only thing she’d been raised to do was no longer possible.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The trials on Friday had run straight through to the end of the business day, and after all his late night case review, preparing for the press, Liam was exhausted. He was planning to head straight from the courthouse to his private quarters for a few hours of needed decompression, but as he answered a few questions from the press, he noticed Olivia standing over by the town car that was waiting for him, talking with his driver.

“Lady Olivia,” he said in greeting, nodding at her politely as he walked over after the press dispersed.

“Your Majesty. I was hoping to run into you. Are you headed back to the palace?”

“That was the plan.”

“May I join you for a bit? I was hoping to discuss if there were any more findings in regards to Anton’s spouse.”

Liam nodded. He did need to talk to Olivia about the investigation that he and Bastien had been privately conducting there. “Of course. Would you like a ride?” he asked, gesturing to his car.

Olivia shook her head, “My car and driver are just around the corner. I’ll meet you there. Do you need me to bring by some cookie dough and wine spritzers?”

Liam shook his head and chuckled. He should have known that Olivia would know that he called off his engagement, even though neither he nor Madeleine had released an official statement yet. “I think I’ll be fine, thanks.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, the glint in her eyes in direct contrast with her overly concerned tone, “Breakups can be tough.”

“Don’t gloat, Olivia,” Liam chided. He wasn’t really upset, but Olivia didn’t need to be so pleased that he and Madeleine were no longer engaged.

“I’m just happy that you aren’t stuck in a miserable political marriage.”

“And…”

“And if Madeleine won’t become queen because of it, all the better.”

Liam couldn’t help but let out a little laugh. It’s not that he reveled in ending things with Madeleine, but it did feel like a significant weight had been lifted from his soul. “Shall we meet in my office?”

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you in a few.”

And so Liam went to his office when he returned to the palace. He’d been seated at his desk, reviewing some news sites, when Olivia was let in by Stefan about 10 minutes later.

“Sorry, I would have been here sooner, but I got stuck waiting for the royal motorcade. A real pain in the ass, I tell you.”

Liam chuckled at her statement, gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk. Olivia sank into one, leaning back and looking him in the eye before she spoke.

“Alright, what can you tell me about my supposed marriage to that traitorous vile snake?”

Liam let out a sigh, knowing there was no easy way to break this news. “What kind of wine do you want?”

“That bad, huh?” Olivia asked with a little wince.

He unlocked the middle desk drawer and pulled out the documents he’d set aside for her. “I wish I had better news. Unfortunately, the document your parents signed is legally binding.”

“Motherfuckers,” Olivia breathed out, letting her head drop to the back of her chair. “I was four, Liam. Who the hell marries off a toddler?”

“I’m very sorry, Liv. I have a private lawyer investigating how best to go about getting this annulled given all the clauses and conditions that various House Nevrakis members have put on the books over the centuries.”

“You brought in a private lawyer? Liam, I was kind of hoping-”

“He signed an NDA. However, I think it would be prudent to warn you that Anton might bring it up in trial if he decides to go scorched earth. The prosecutors would never reference it, but I have no idea what he or his lawyer are planning.”

Olivia inhaled deeply before nodding slowly. “I understand. Are you sure we can’t just torture him to keep him quiet?”

“Fairly certain that’s a violation of the UN Human Rights Council guidelines.”

“Even if I make sure it can’t get traced back to you?”

“Yes, even then, Olivia.”

“Damn,” she said with a little laugh, “So, either I release the info myself and undermine my public support in an effort to control the narrative, or I take a gamble that he won’t bring it up?”

“Unfortunately, yes. Those really are your only choices. No matter what you choose, though, you will have the Crown’s full support.”

Olivia tapped her fingernails against the desk’s surface, eyes roving over her marriage certificate. “I’ll release it Monday,” she said after a few moments, raising her head to look Liam in the eye. “It’s the opposite of what our fathers would have done, so that probably makes it the right call.”

Liam tilted his head at that, “Have your staff send Stefan your statement this weekend, and we’ll craft an official royal press release to match.”

“Thanks, Liam.”

“Of course, Olivia.”

“No, I mean it. I’m sure that you’re already being stretched thin between the trials, and I’m guessing you’re getting some pushback for calling off your engagement, so thank you for looking into this for me.”

Liam nodded. She wasn’t wrong. It hadn’t even been 24 hours since he called off his engagement, and he’d already been chided by several council members. Regina had also had some choice words for him after he blocked a meeting with Godfrey.

“How pissed are people that you aren’t getting married?”

“I think they’re more upset that they can’t technically do anything about it. The law clearly states a monarch needs to be either married or engaged to ascend the throne; it makes no reference to his or her marital state once they are the reigning monarch.”

“So, what’s your next move?”

“Nothing,” he said with a little shrug, “Like I said, they can’t really do anything about it. Thanks to you, public opinion of me is quite high at the moment, so it's not like they can apply pressure that way either.”

“Nice,” she replied, nodding and cocking an eyebrow, “What are you going to do about an heir?”

Liam just shook his head, “I’m not even 30 yet. I feel like I have some time.”

“I agree, but others won’t. You’re going to have to have a statement prepared for when they start hounding you about it.”

He paused for a second, organizing his words, “Well, then I’ll just tell them that succession laws are clear, and that I am perfectly comfortable leaving Cordonia in the hands of the woman who is next in line for the throne.”

Olivia’s eyes widened before fluttering closed. She pressed her lips together and took several slow breaths before she opened her eyes, a slight glimmer noticeable in the corners. “Thank you, Liam,” she whispered.

“It’s the truth, Olivia. You care about this country and its people. If something were, god forbid, to happen to me, I would have no qualms about you becoming queen.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything. How about we just have that glass of wine?”

 Olivia just shook her head, “I wish I could, but I actually have… well, I have a date.”

Liam smiled gently, “Oh, well then it sounds like you have much better plans than me for the evening. I’ll let you get heading back to Lythikos.”

“The date’s here, actually.”

“Really?” Liam asked, his curiosity mounting by the second, “Who’s the man in question, and does he know what he’s getting himself into?”

“None of your business and of course not,” she replied, giving him a genuine smile as she stood up. “I’ll see you at the courthouse Monday?”

“Of course, Olivia. Have a wonderful evening.”

She smiled and walked out of the office, throwing up her hand in farewell as she closed the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Drake shifted in his seat. He could blame it on the cramped airline rows, but he knew it was more his nerves than anything. He was an absolute mess at this point.

For the second time in as many days, he was on a flight towards a woman he wasn’t even sure wanted to see him. But unlike when he went to see his mother, he was actually terrified of that fact. If his mother had been cold or hadn’t wanted to see him, he knew how to deal with that fact. He’d been through it before, and though he hadn’t come out without some emotional scars, he fucking got through it.

But Riley… well the thought that she might not want to talk to him shook him to his core. He honestly didn’t know what he would do if she told him to fuck off, that she needed a boyfriend who could actually handle her life or one that didn’t have a best friend with very specific emotional demands. It was honestly part of the reason he went to talk to his mother first - he was more scared of his talk with Riley. The stakes were just so much higher. He knew that made him a coward. But when he’d been booking his tickets, he just wanted one more day where he could pretend that Riley and him were going to be alright.

Part of him also knew that if Riley left him, he was likely to spiral a bit. Get drunk, self-destruct, throw himself a goddamn pity party. He knew he needed to talk with both Riley and his mother, but with how long he’d put off his conversation with his mother, he just knew he would never get around to it after a rejection from Riley. He wouldn’t have seen the point. It just had to happen first.

But now it was time to face the music with Riley. No more beating around the apple tree. She knew when his flight was landing at JFK, he’d sent her the flight details before he left Cordonia, and she’d texted back “okay.” Drake didn’t know if that meant she would be there or not.

If she wasn’t there, Drake wasn’t sure what his plan was. He was pretty sure she would be off this weekend, but just barging into her apartment felt presumptuous, even if he did still have a set of keys. Maybe he would just call her? See if she wanted to meet him somewhere?

But when he exited the plane and made his way towards baggage claim, he saw her there, standing off to the side, her arms crossed over her chest. He started walking toward her, his legs suddenly feeling heavy as lead. At some point, she caught sight of him, but she made no move toward him, just offering up a little nod. He raised his hand and waved, feeling like a giant dork in the process, but he didn’t know what else to do. And he made it those last painful meters, he tried to figure out what to say. But then he was in front of her and all he could do was stare at her. She was so beautiful, and nothing he could say felt like it would be enough.

Riley wasn’t saying anything either, and neither one of them made a move to touch each other. The tension was nearly palpable, and all Drake knew was that he had to break it somehow.

“Hey, Liu,” he choked out.

“Hi, Drake.”

Permatag: @speedyoperarascalparty​​ @mfackenthal​​  @lilyofchoices​​  @thequeenofcronuts​​  @jamesashtonisbae​​

The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir: @kingliam2019​​   @sirbeepsalot​​  @texaskitten30​​   @princessleac1​​  @ladyangel70​​  @dcbbw​​  @yaushie​​ @octobereighth​​

Drake x MC only:  @jovialyouthmusic  @iplaydrake  @gibbles82  @drakewalkerisreal  @riley--walker​ @notoriouscs​  @butindeed​  @addictedtodrakefanfic​  

It Couldn’t Wait Another Moment: @wickedgypsymoon  @thesumofmychoices​​  @cosigottahavefaith​​   @thequeenchoices​​  @katedrakeohd​​  @feartheendlesssummer​​  @ao719​​  @ooo-barff-ooo​​   @sunnyxdazed​​

[yafaemi]

ii. | close.

Ok then! The second for the challenge. ^-^ This is probably one of the stories that means the most to me. Just, like... in general, really. o.o It’s an idea for a story I’ve had for a while. I did have a really rough draft of this, so I thought ‘hey! that kinda matches the prompt! I should actually write that out like I’ve been meaning to!’ so... I did. I would have made this one the first I did for the challenge, but I didn’t have it finished yesterday, so. o.o

Description: Through thick and thin, through good and bad. Two becomes three, three becomes four. Amidst the setting sun and the lapping waves, will their feelings be unveiled to one another, truly and fully.

Warning: there’s a very brief allusion to suicide during this story, as well as death in general. If you’re uncomfortable with these things for any reason, I would advise caution. 

_________________________________________________________ 

The crash of the water was the only thing that Amandine seemed to keep her eyes on. Amidst the idle chatter from the others, drowned out by the sounds of the waves. Every ounce of focus, settled onto the tide as it went back and forth, back and forth.

She never liked going to the beach. The seaweed, the creatures, the uncertainty of the water… yet here she was, on a beach, friends at her side, all watching the sun set on what had been a frankly fantastic day. 

Save for one last thing that she had to tell them. 

“If you keep looking at the water like that, you’re literally gonna boil the entire beach, Mandi.” Aurora’s easy grin was easy to see from the corner of her eye. Nestled into a beach chair as she was, almost buried in several towels that nearly covered her eyes. (For some reason, a sight not unlike Oliver’s habit of huddling into every single blanket in their house. Perhaps it was just a shared sibling habit.) 

From beside her chair, Oliver leaned forward by a hint. Looking between Amandine and Aurora, then glancing towards Miyuki— only drawn back to conversation by Aurora’s remark, no doubt— until Oliver finally smiled. 

“That’s the thinking face,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone. Amandine let out a bare scoff at the words and crossed her arms a little tighter over her torso. 

“I have no thinking face, thank you very much.” 

“No, you really do. You make that face when you read books sometimes.” 

Whatever reason the words had to make Aurora laugh were unknowable. That was, at least, until she whispered, “Does that mean that Amandine doesn’t actually think at all? Crazy. Just… an empty head, nothing in there in the slightest. No thoughts.” 

Amandine turned back towards the sight of the water, eyes closing just long enough to convey the slowly withering patience she’d arrived with. Her greatest adversary— Aurora’s ability to drive any single person in Eorzea insane. Save Oliver, perhaps.

Though it was an unfair comparison. He had patience rivalling that of the Twelve to begin with. 

...Likely from being her sibling, though Amandine never thought to ask. 

“You just described your own head perfectly, Aurora.” Miyuki took the chance that Amandine hadn’t. Despite herself, she let out a snicker. From the side, she heard Oliver let out a soft sigh, and Aurora laugh again.

“Come on! That’s not fair. I thought we already established: I just have a very, very small moogle in my head, and they’re the one controlling everything.” 

“Ok, guys, slow down for a minute. I’m pretty sure Amandine wanted to say something before,” Oliver said as Amandine finally reopened her eyes. The sky’s orange tips were slowly beginning to take on a deeper tinge. “That’s what the thinking face usually gets followed with. Some sort of words, or just a long sip of coffee.”  

“If I had the coffee, it would be both, I assure you,” she replied with another long breath. Her shoulders raised with the inhale, dropping slowly as she let out a heavy sigh. “While I may come to regret the words I’m about to say— in fact, I am almost positive I will—…” another moment of pause, another breath, and… “I would like to say… thank you. All of you.” 

It was about the reactions she’d assumed. Oliver’s smile wavered briefly as he tilted his head, and Aurora stared at her with a scrunched face and one hand pointed out towards her in question. Miyuki shrugged, nodded, and went back to watching the ocean, only taking a side-glance at her every so often.

Aurora’s scrunched stare continued for another few moments before she spoke up, looking around the beach. “I don’t think we… did anything? Unless slowly driving you to the brink of madness is what you’re thanking us for. In which case… ya, you’re totally welcome.” She offered a wide grin and a thumbs-up. “Always happy to help.”  

“Not… necessarily, no,” Amandine answered. She didn’t deny it. Denying that was practically ignoring half of their friendship to begin with. “What I am thanking you for is crashing— quite literally, in fact— into my life.” 

“...wait, what?” 

Oliver’s face, somehow, met his palm. Inexplicably, of course. “I thought we were over that…” 

Miyuki raised an eyebrow. “I don’t even want to begin to know. So this is me, not asking.” He went to turn away, only to stop as Aurora put a hand on his arm and grinned. He looked up with a slow stare. “You’re going to tell me anyways.” It wasn’t posed as a question.

“Oliver crashed into Mandi the first time we met in Ishgard. Literally, he just…” she trailed off, putting up her arms until one stood far taller than the other. The shorter of her positioned arms crashed into the other, and they both flopped onto the beach chair. “You should’ve seen him. He was so embarrassed.” 

“Amandine’s being sentimental, guys, stop spoiling the moment.” Oliver made a valiant effort in pretending his face wasn’t starting to go bright red. It was failing miserably, yet the effort was present and obvious. 

The fact that Amandine could feel herself smiling at their antics was both terrifying and quite routine. Not even Halone could save her soul at this point, she feared. It was lost, gone amidst the pleasant memories. 

Not that she wanted it back, anyways. Not if it meant losing them, frustrating as they could be.

“I suppose the silence is my queue to continue, then. Ahem.” While the words weren’t exactly there anymore, she supposed it would be unfair to leave them at such a cliffhanger. She took another deep breath, gathered her wits, and spoke, “For as much as we tend to joke, and pretend that your company is infuriating to me— which, at times, it certainly is—” Oliver and Aurora chuckled at that. Miyuki tried not to, yet even he couldn’t manage a straight face— “The three of you are some of my most precious friends. You have changed my life in ways that I wouldn’t have thought possible, and forced me to confront many, many things in the world and about myself that I otherwise wouldn’t have acknowledged, much less changed.

“Regardless of the circumstances that saw us truly come together— a tragic death of a dear friend, a mutual need for revenge, a certain someone pointing a gun at Aurora’s head—” Once again, Miyuki tried and failed to keep from reacting as Aurora only let out a pronounced sigh— “Our friendship is something that I have and always will treasure. I dare not think of my life without you, for that is a life I could not desire any less.” 

Silence took over as her words settled into the air. It took all of a few moments for her to carefully wipe the side of her eye, before settling back into her chair as she had been a few minutes prior. 

Aurora dipped her head into the pile of towels. When she emerged, her eyes seemed to be a hint glassy. “Aw, c’mon, Mandi…” she took a half-moment to sniff, “...you’re gonna make Oliver cry.” 

Miyuki snorted. “And not yourself. Obviously.” 

“I was getting to that, thanks,” she snapped back with a wave of dismissal. Miyuki only grinned at the amusement in her face, and settled back into his chair. There was a soft ‘sure, you were’ that she ignored as he did, and then a smile. “And me, too. For the crying thing. Happy now, ‘Yuki?” 

“I would be if you stopped calling me that.” 

From beside Amandine’s chair, there was a soft sniff. Oliver moved his hand away from his eyes rather quickly, brushing off a part of hair that had fallen into his face—  or so it seemed, at least. “I would try and disagree, but… I can’t. It means a lot to hear that, Amandine. Really. 

“And… I’d like to agree! I’m glad that I met you, too. And Miyuki. Even if we got off on the wrong foot in the beginning,” he added with a shift forward to look towards Miyuki. “...The… really, really wrong foot. I still feel a little bad about it, sometimes, honestly.” 

His answer was a simple roll of the shoulder. “I threatened to kill your sister.” He sent one half of a glance towards Aurora. She had a sudden interest in her chair, yet the sheepish smile was unmistakable. “The ‘wrong foot’ was warranted.” 

“Can we just acknowledge that Oliver didn’t even mention me in that?” Aurora spoke up. Interest in the chair had passed alongside the mentions of her very intimate meeting with the muzzle of Miyuki’s gun, clearly. She shifted forwards on her chair, pouted, and said, “Like, I’m feeling a little betrayed. You almost kill him over killing me, but you aren’t even happy to know me? That’s just cold, Oli.”

The long-suffering stare he gave her was muted in the midst of the teasing wink she gave. Oliver let out a short laugh and shrugged, one hand going to his hair once more as he fell entirely silent. His words, when next he spoke, seemed far too quiet for the easy air about the group. “Of course I’m glad to have met you, Rory.” The look in his eye was enough to make Amandine glance away. “To be entirely honest, I… don’t think I’d actually be here, if I hadn’t. And I don’t just mean the beach, either.” 

Whatever it was in the look they shared, it was enough to drive Aurora to tears once more. Her head dropped near immediately, one hand shielding her eyes away from a brief moment. The tears still fell, visible, vanishing into the towel and followed by more. Then, without another word, she got up from the collection of them, moved over to Oliver’s chair, and caught him in a hug. 

There were a few moments of quiet as the two of them stayed there, before Aurora finally ruffled his hair and moved back to her chair. As she settled down, she let out a hard sigh. “...Oliver’s not allowed to make sentimental remarks anymore. It’s officially illegal.

“...and neither is Amandine, actually.” Aurora’s still teary-eyed stare shifted towards her for a moment, only causing one raise of the brow by Amandine. “For the sake of me not embarrassing myself.” 

As Oliver only brushed his hair back into a place where it wasn’t bothering his slightly glassy eyes, it was Miyuki that spoke up with a sly grin. “Well, if they can’t, then I will.” 

The three of them blinked at him. Shoulders shifted, small quirks of the brow in surprise. Aurora almost tilted her head entirely, though the surprise in her face was pleasant. Rare was it that he spoke more than 11 words in a single go— actually speaking of his feelings was unheard of in the months they’d known him. 

He took a long breath. Shoulders raising slowly with the intake of air, dropping again with a low, controlled sigh. “The last few months I’ve spent with you have been the happiest I’ve felt in years, unfortunately. You are all headache inducing. Infuriating. The Kami themselves would balk at your collective antics. And I’m glad to be a part of them.” Miyuki’s smile was almost tentative, yet the good-natured malice was not. “You aren’t worth the trouble that you are, but I’m still glad that I put that gun to Aurora’s head. And I would do it again.”

“Oh, gee, thanks. I’m really feelin’ the love, ‘Yuki.” 

“I’m going to do it now if you call me that again.” 

Aurora only rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue at him. Miyuki facepalmed and muttered something along the lines of regret. Amandine cleared her throat, “While I doubt Oliver appreciates the latter sentiment much, it’s rather reassuring to hear that you value our company as much as we value yours.” 

She looked up again in genuine betrayal. “W— he wasn’t even the one who nearly got killed th— if this is your way of saying I’m third-wheeling here, Mandi, it’s not much appreciated!” 

“You’re far too hard to ignore in such a way, my dear,” Amandine replied with a laugh. Oliver joined Miyuki in facepalming. She only laughed more. “Regardless. I know you, Aurora, and I know for a fact that you’re likely not offended by his words.” 

At that, all Aurora could offer was a shrug. “I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’m just saying, y’know… I don’t have to be happy that you’re right.” 

“It was really sweet there for a few minutes,” Oliver murmured into his hand, eyes focused on the waves in the sun-shaded distance, “Really. Then it just… wasn’t.” 

“What, were you really expecting any different from us, of all people?” Aurora let out a short tsk, “That’s your mistake, Oli.” 

A round of laughter from them all shook away the last remnants of the emotional moment that had been. Though, before it drifted back to the comfortable lull in conversation, Miyuki turned his attention to Aurora again. 

First, it was a look between he, Amandine, and Oliver. Then a quick push-up of his glasses. And finally, he said in a far too conspiratory tone, “We’ve said our pieces. It’s your turn. Make your brother cry again.” 

“Hey— hold on, this is just a spontaneous thing!” Despite nearly jumbling the words, it seemed that she managed to get them across. Aurora shot a wide-eyed look about the area, “You can’t just make me talk about my feelings. I did not sign up to have a heart-warming friendship-is-everything moment today.” 

Amandine stifled a laugh. “Heartwarning,” she echoed with another, shorter chuckle. “Yes, the tears in my eyes as Miyuki called us infuriating. Truly, my heart could hardly take more of this outspill of affection.” 

“To be fair, that’s like… the most emotionally open he’s been with us since we met.”

Miyuki scoffed. “Hardly.” 

From the loud sigh coming from Oliver’s chair, he was reminiscing about the true heartwarming parts of the conversation again. Or, at least, the parts that hadn’t yet devolved. Eyes still set out at the paint-spilled sky, and the faint view of the stars that came into view.

“Look. I’m terrible with words! I dunno what to say!” Aurora waved her hands about as if gesturing wildly to a mess on the floor. The frazzled look she’d given them complimented it well, yet their silence seemed to be enough to make her give up. “Seriously. Can I make a script really quick, if you really want me to do this?”

“Buckle to peer pressure without one.” Miyuki seemed unphased by the deadpan stare she offered him. “Stop being a coward.” 

Oliver finally turned back into the conversation, shifting entirely in his chair until he sat at the very front of it. Head in his hands, crossed over his legs and expectant. “Only do it if you want to, Rory.”

“Well, now I have to, anyways. I’m buckling to peer pressure. You guys suck.”

Amandine tucked in her legs beneath her, head pulling forward to rest on her knees. “Halone grant me patience,” she muttered, and then pulled back up into a comfortable position. 

“Ok. Uh… gods, I… ok. I’m gonna do it. Just so you guys don’t bug me about this some other time.” Aurora scrunched her eyes closed for a few moments, one hand closing into a fist at her side. Both her eyes and the fist opened at the same time, like an idea struck in her mind. “I dunno how to start this. So… you guys are my best friends. 

“...I guess that’s sort of obvious. But, seriously, you just mean the world to me. We’ve been together through good times, and bad times. At our worst, best, and…” she trailed off with a look at Miyuki. “Most intent on causing me bodily harm-times.” He could hardly hold back the snicker. “Literally none of us got off on the right foot in the beginning. We all kind of hated each other at some point of time since meeting. 

“Which is just weird, but it’s a concern for later, maybe. What’s important is that I would do anything for you guys. Like, you mean so much to me. And I’m so happy that I get to call you guys my friends. Sometimes I just kinda think about it, and I’m like, “wow, they’re so cool. I can’t believe these people are my friends.” It’s crazy. And what’s even weirder, is that I feel like I’ve known you all my life, and even longer than that. And I haven’t. Not even Oliver.” 

Despite how he looked away, his feelings at the words were evident enough.

“I just… I love you guys. I really do. So, y’know… if we ever go our separate ways, someday… just know that you can count on me. There’s nothing in this world, or the next, or the next after that that’d keep me from being there for you. You’re all stuck with my friendship, whether you want it or not. And I’m really good at keeping my promises.”

No one said a single word when she drifted off to silence. 

Not even the crashing waves, so faded into the background of their conversation as it was, seemed to break into the impenetrable quiet that had been crafted after Aurora’s final words. 

No muscles moved, not even a hint of a breath, just the evening sky and the new, thickened moment of peace. 

Unbroken.

Until, at least, Aurora took in a shaky breath. “...please say something. I feel really awkward and I have no idea what to say. I just kinda… went with it, there.” 

It seemed as thought it was Oliver’s turn to deliver a hug. He got up, sat next to Aurora, and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “That was really sweet, Rory.” 

“Indeed,” Amandine nodded her approval alongside her words. Her smile  was light, yet still filled with the same sort of feeling as it had been during her own small speech. “It was lovely.” 

“Thank the gods. I was kinda freaking out on if it came out superficial or something.” 

Miyuki whistled. “If that was superficial, then I’d rather not know what the genuine looks like.” 

“It’s not actually words at that point. I just cry on the spot and point at you,” Aurora replied with a laugh. There was a brief attempt to showcase it, a downward pulled imitation of a cry and her pointing at the three of them wildly. 

Slowly, the conversation drifted back to its normal state between madness and seriousness. The heart-to-heart ended, emotions laid bare for friends to see. Amandine’s attention was pulled back into the setting sky, watching as the stripes of blue became more and more pronounced to quash the rest of the evening’s color.

There, as she had done so many times before, Amandine heard the familiar voice of long-departed friend. 

Look after them for me, won’t you? A promise made of her, in the darkest hour that she’d known in many long years. 

She knew. She knew this time would come. She must have. Their band grew from three to four, and they never needed someone to guide them, or hold their hands. They never did. 

Yet that promise kept Amandine there, right alongside them. Kept them all together. Kept her close. It was never balance, nor sagely guidance. It never was. Simply, it was what they needed, in the end— Amandine, Aurora, Oliver, and eventually MIyuki. It was the incredible good that had come from those dying words. 

It was clear. There was one last person she had yet to thank.

I pray that you rest easy, Sydessin, and know the good you created. From your final promise, you gave me far more than I had once thought. 

And for that, I will be ever grateful. 

[winterromanov]

we will grow taller together - bucky x reader

PART ONE - THE GENTLE HUM OF EXISTENTIAL DREAD

parts: zero

Pairing: bucky barnes x reader

Extract: “No. No, what I’m saying is, he needs—they both need—someone. He needs someone to help look after Clover while they both get their lives back on track.” Steve pauses, looking you straight in the eyes. “Someone like you.”

Genre: romance, nanny x single father!AU

Taglist: @blindedbyyourgrace17 @verygraphicink @igotkatiepowers @welcome-to-my-studylife (taglist still open, reply/message to be tagged)

PART ONE

“Next please!”

The queue shuffles along until your face-to-face with yet another tired-looking college student, purple eye-bags visible underneath a pair of circular rimmed glasses. It’s fall dead week and if most of your customers are anything to go by, it certainly lives up to its name. Every single one of the tables spread out on the main floor of Vormir Coffee has been crammed with sleep-deprived teenagers and textbooks, meaning you and your colleagues have been swept off your feet with orders for caffeine products refills. You expect the rush to continue over the next few days as revision turns into actual mid-terms—as is tradition, you’ll be offering free chocolate muffins throughout the week by the door, because nothing heals the pain of a shitty Econ paper like chocolate muffins do.

Yet…as you look in the near-dead, distant eyes of your latest customer, you feel a pang of jealousy deep within your chest. While you’re pouring coffee into refillable mugs and forcing your best service smile (which is a difficult feat nine hours in to a ten hour shift) they’re reading and learning and absorbing.

You miss learning. God, you miss learning, even the terrible impossible chaos of one exam after another and deadlines piling up around you like sandbags. But being, y’know, poor, means there’s not much you can do about your grad school dreams, even if you do spend your free hours searching the internet for outlandish scholarships and funding schemes.

So. For now, it’s coffee. Potentially forever if you want to continue to eat and have electricity, which is just about all you can afford right now. And the occasional lipstick if you’re feeling particularly extravagant.

“What can I get you?” you ask the student, whose scruffy brown hair doesn’t look like it’s been washed in a few days. Oh well. Desperate times require desperate measures. At least you’re not his roommate. He grunts for an inevitable espresso and fishes round his wallet for some spare dollars while you get to work. Moments later you offer him the finished product and he drops the exact change into your hand, skulking away to a table without another word. Well, you’ll forgive a lack of manners during one of the most surreal weeks in the academic year.

“Hey, (Y/N).”

On the announcement of your name your glance flicks back to the remainders of the gradually quietening queue, and your face subconsciously breaks out into a grin when you finally see a customer that doesn’t look like a vacant zombie.

Steve Rogers grins back at you. He’s wearing a beanie over his blonde hair and a warm winter jacket—the temperature was freezing when you practically slid from the subway to work this morning and as the day slowly eclipses into evening, the temperature is falling back down with it. His cheeks are flushed from coming into the warm.

“Hey Steve!” you greet him cheerfully, because seeing an old friend is the perfect way to end a tiring shift. “How are you? How’s Natasha?”

Steve dips his head bashfully, like he always does when he’s asked about himself or his girlfriend. “We’re both great, thanks. What about you? It’s been a while.”

You gesture around you as an answer. Taking all the shifts you possibly can means you probably spend more time in Vormir than your own apartment. From what you can recall Steve has been back in the States for a few weeks after his most recent tour of Afghanistan; him or Natasha keep dropping you invites here and there, but you’ve been working or too dog-tired to accept them. It kind of makes you sad, as you watch your social circle shrink, but being an adult is the worst and staying alive is reasonably important to you.

“That bad, huh?” Steve asks sympathetically. You nod back, dramatically rolling your eyes.

“That bad. Always that bad, Rogers. I’m a slave to consumerism, but don’t let my boss know that.”

Steve laughs, leaning onto the counter. “I actually… (Y/N), when do you finish up here? Do you want get a drink? I’ve just got something I wanted to run by you.”

You narrow your eyes with curiosity. The clock that ticks mercilessly above the door reads six forty-two, so you’ve got less than twenty minutes left of your shift, and the look on Steve’s face is too intriguing to turn down just so you can rush home, open a bottle of cheap white wine and watch Stranger Things on Netflix. Even if you are up to the season three finale.

“I clock off at seven,” you reveal, but you nudge your head in the direction of the remaining customers who are starting to get annoyed at the hold-up. “Grab a seat. I actually have to do my job for a while longer and I’d rather not get fired because you’re distracting me.”

Steve holds his hands up in mock surrender and slowly backs away from the counter, allowing your next customer to slide into his position. You watch as he drops into a two-seater by the window, scrolling through his iPhone, a muted grin tugging at his lips.

-

Steve’s favourite bar is a short walk across town, the kind that is warm and dark and a little bit retro. You’ve been to Endgame before with him and Natasha, and you’d all split quarters so you could play ABBA songs on the Jukebox by the entrance. Right now it’s playing Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac, so it seems today’s patrons have taste.

You grab one of the more private booths through the back while he gets the drinks. You’ve not seen your phone since your lunch break so you take the spare seconds to scroll through your social media—less than an hour ago Natasha’s posted a photo to Instagram, both her and Steve making stupid faces in the living room of the apartment they share. It’s captioned who do I have to kill to make sure you’re not deployed again?

Your heart melts a little. Steve and Nat. Nat and Steve. Two people who have been together for longer than you’ve known them, and they just work so fucking well, two halves of the same coin and all that. Your thumb hovers over the like button for a moment before clicking it, because you’ve never had someone in your life like that. You’ve not found the other half of your coin.

Most days you’re too exhausted to really think about it. But sometimes…something will click in the back of your brain and it dawns on you like an avalanche that this might be your life forever. You’ll be serving coffee forever. You’ll be on your own forever.

Fortunately Steve slides into the seat opposite before you can go into a full-on existential crisis, but you sure as hell know that’s what will inevitably cross your mind when you’re stuck staring at the cracked ceiling of your apartment in bed tonight.

Steve’s smile is concerned as he pushes a desperado in your direction. “You look troubled.”

“When am I not?” you say with a shrug, taking a sip of your drink. The alcohol burns in your empty stomach. You haven’t eaten since lunch—maybe liquor isn’t the best idea, after all. “Anyway. As much as I love seeing you, Rogers, this isn’t just a friendly drop-by is it?”

Steve is drinking some generic American beer. He wipes his lip before speaking. “Yeah. Like I said. There was something I thought I’d run by you.”

“Ominous.” You wiggle your eyebrows. “Are you going to spend the next half an hour or so pushing a pyramid scheme you swear isn’t a pyramid scheme? Because I really didn’t think that was your style.”

“No. Not a pyramid scheme.” He shakes his head in mild disbelief, probably wondering why he’s still friends with you. “It’s more…do you remember my friend? James?” When you look back blankly, he elaborates. “Bucky. Guy I used to go to school with. Dark hair. Lost his arm in Afghan about a decade ago…”

“Oh! Oh. Bucky Barnes. James Barnes.” You feel kind of bad that the arm was what made it click, but you do remember a quiet, well-mannered guy standing in the background of a few of Steve and/or Nat’s social events over the last few years. You’ve never been formally introduced but Steve talks about him every so often, just casual mentions in conversation, nothing detailed. They’d grown up together, trained together, but their career paths parted after Bucky’s car nicked an IED on the outskirts of Kabul. Truly horrifying. “Yeah. Sure. I remember him. What about him?”

Steve grimaces. “Well, it’s a bit…complex, to explain, so I’ll just go straight into it. About seven years ago he met a girl, she got pregnant, they had a daughter.”

“Oh! I never knew he had any kids.”

“Yeah. Clover. She’s six now. Way too smart for her age, really mischievous—doing crazy things like sending vegetables in the post to the grandparents she doesn’t like and reading fucking Frankenstein. Big Mary Shelley fan, to Buck’s sheer delight. Awesome kid.”

You smirk, not sure what any of this has to do with you, but little Clover sounds exactly how you were at her age. “She does sound pretty awesome.”

“But Connie, her mom…she passed away just over a year ago in a really awful car wreck.” Steve’s face falls into a look of heartbreak, empathetic as always. “Her and Bucky haven’t been together for years but they shared custody of Clove, Connie having her a lot of the time.”

You feel something shift in your chest, like shards of glass are pressing in between your ribs. Real loss stories have always been pretty hard for you to digest, regardless of who they belong to. You think about death a lot in, like, an abstract and unreachable kind of way. You think it gives you size, an awareness of your place in the world, the universe. But that’s your own death. You’re kind of comfortable with that one day you will cease to exist. It’s just the people that you care about you fear for. And everybody cares about somebody.

“God, that’s awful, Steve,” you murmur, eyes softening. “Is he looking after her on his own now?”

Steve nods, biting his lip. “Yeah. And he’s not doing too great, (Y/N). It’s not my place to go into details about what goes on in his head, but nobody gets over the trauma he went through and goes back to before. And the loss of Connie and suddenly becoming Clover’s only parent, and her trauma, as well as trying to hold down a full-time job…like Jesus, I’m surprised he can even get up in the morning. Sometimes he doesn’t.”

You ache for Steve’s oldest friend as is only natural, but you’re still at a loss as to where this involves you. You rest your chin in your hands, looking at Steve intently. “It sounds like he’s going through a tough time. I’m really sorry. But is this…any of my business? Because you can always confide in me about things that are on your mind, but this sounds really personal.”

“No. No, what I’m saying is, he needs—they both need—someone. He needs someone to help look after Clover while they both get their lives back on track.” Steve pauses, looking you straight in the eyes. “Someone like you.”

The laugh that erupts from your chest is involuntary, but Steve’s expression is still completely serious. Is he really suggesting what you think he’s suggesting? “What? You’re asking me to be a nanny?”

“I suppose you could call it that.” When you stare at him with disbelief, he rolls his shoulders. “(Y/N). Why is this such an eccentric idea? You hate your job. Buck has a spare room at his place which, no offense, is way nicer than your apartment. You’re great with kids, you’re funny, you’re smart…and you’ve already said you think Clover sounds like an awesome kid. You two would get on great.”

“That’s all irrelevant considering a, I’m not a nanny and have no experience looking after a child in that close and intense an environment. And b, Steve, this is an eccentric idea. Other than the scraps you’ve given me I know absolutely nothing about James, and what the hell does he know about me?” When Steve’s face looks a little guilty, you roll your eyes. “Oh my god. Steve. James hasn’t even said he wants a nanny has he? He doesn’t even know you’re asking me this.”

“This would be so good for him,” Steve half-pleads, puppy dog eyes engaged, “He’s fussy about strangers and Clover, but he knows you through me. He’ll trust my judgement.”

“Steve. You can’t just go making decisions like that! This is insane.”

(Steve has a habit of thinking he knows what’s best, for himself or other people, and rampaging down that path in the pursuit of a happy ending. Sometimes people don’t need his version of a happy ending.)

Steve eventually relents, relaxing back in his seat. He’s forgotten you’re not usually one for blindly going along with one of his Heroic Schemes, preferring a more idealistic approach. “Okay. Yeah. I’ll discuss it with him first. But I think you should come along when I do that.”

“Steve.”

“It doesn’t have to mean anything, but I think you should meet them both properly. You could be a good friend to him either way. It wouldn’t hurt, (Y/N). Maybe it would be good for you too.”

God, you’re way too done for this shit, your legs aching from a day of being constantly on your feet and dead inside from getting up at six this morning. Steve is not the kind of guy to give up on something he’s clearly passionate about in his quest for the greater good, and this point it is just easier to agree to his requests. Even though his idea is way too bizarre for anyone normal to actually accept.

Being a live-in nanny for a guy you barely know and his daughter, both of whom have just lost someone extremely significant in their lives? And him being totally unaware that his best friend is proposing a job he has no authority to give? Yeah, fuck that.

Steve is right about one thing, though. You do really, really hate your horrible job.

When you reluctantly nod, and Steve grins, you jab a finger in his direction. “Like you said. It means nothing. This is weird as hell, but you’re super annoying when you don’t get your own way, and I’m totally allowing you to receive all the backlash when it backfires.”

“I think I can deal with that.” He gestures at your empty bottle. “Want another drink?”

The alcohol has made your body a little lighter, but your stomach growls loudly in argument. Instead, you clamp your hands on the table. “No, but you can buy me a pizza. It’s the least you can do for me, weirdo.”

Steve raises an eyebrow, used to your directness. “Pizza it is, then.”

Okay, so maybe Steve Rogers is the most annoying person in the world, and maybe his aggressive selflessness in the hope of doing right for his friends will eventually be his downfall, but he’s usually a pretty nice guy. You sometimes forget that you’re lucky to have him.

[lily-blue]

CODE Z3RO | CODE 12

characters: BTS & Red Velvet genre: thriller, futuristic au warning: death summary: The twelve most ambitious and promising university students are welcomed in Choego, the world’s first entirely artificial intelligence-driven city, to compete for five job contracts that could change their life. But what if something goes wrong? What if they get trapped? What if the city suddenly turns against them? Can they find a way out before the countdown reaches zero? words: 4,1K tagged: @philosopher-of-fandoms​

➼ Chapter Index

All Namjoon could think about was Wendy and her lifeless body that had been slowly sinking underneath the flowery soil barely an hour prior. And he hated the whole world for taking her away from him in such a cruel and unfair way. She, out of all people, would have deserved so much better. Better than a tomb and a useless boyfriend like him.

After his short-lived conversation with Yerim that had failed to put his restless heart at ease, his mind started throwing bittersweet flashbacks at the engineer, memories of them fighting over the last piece of toast, him drinking straight from the carton of milk, Wendy complaining about his lame choice of presents for her birthday and Christmas and suddenly he regretted that he had always forgotten Valentine’s Day. Reminiscing about his girlfriend, lipstick stains on the edge of his favourite mug, even their most irritating fights and habits seemed nice thus he wished he hadn’t rushed out of the kitchen so hastily. He should have stayed there and borne with her teasing because deep down he had known very well that it had been her way to cope with the suffocating death lingering around them. If only she hadn’t run after him and rather stayed with the rest of the team, peeling the ingredients, she would have been still alive. But she had chosen him over her pride and it all had been his fault. The thought alone truly drove Namjoon crazy, transparent hands choking him with every breath he took.

Wandering in the dark pit of self-blame, still angry due to the newfound information about the researchers’ decision to keep going with such a dangerous project, he was only pulled back to reality when Taehyung pushed him against the wall of the air-drain and that was when he also realized that it was hard to breathe. Maybe his chest wasn’t heavy solely because of his grief after all but also due to the gas that filled the pipes. Another splendid feature that had been made by the creators. One more way they could have killed them. And funnily, the boy didn’t care about dying anymore let it happen in an abandoned building amongst people or all alone at home while sleeping at the age of eighty.

He could hear the echo of Yoongi’s panting and thinking of Wendy, Namjoon turned to their leader and helped him with the slow crawling forwards. He tore a small piece off of his tee to lift it in front of the guy’s face then reminded him of the importance of breathing through his nose even though it might have been annoying with the cloth touching his eyes and mouth whenever they made a move. They were merely in an arm’s length distance from Jungkook’s dirty shoes when they snapped their heads towards the little girl ahead, her silent cry echoing in the small area. She buried her face into the crook of the young boy’s shoulder, shaking and if anything then it proved that something terrible had happened.

Truth to be told, Namjoon was jealous of them having each other but he tried not to think too much into their close proximity because every single member of the team knew that the boy didn’t like the girl. It was merely the aftereffect of the shock that they all felt due to the death of their former acquaintances. It wasn’t real love. He shouldn’t have envied such a fake bubble of nonexistent affection. But he did nevertheless, yearning for the soft skin of his girlfriend’s palm on his cheek.

The boy didn’t even realize that Taehyung was missing until Yoongi’s loud cough beside him remained unnoticed, silence embracing them instead of the familiar mocking tone of the lilac haired guy. After the initial confusion that was clearly written on his face, Namjoon decided to follow the front of the queue regardless of his dislike of letting someone as dangerous as Seulgi take the lead once again. She was unworthy of his trust, her words were imprecise and her knowledge was markedly limited. They moved towards the computer room as one, trying not to stare too much when they passed the hole where the Marketing guy escaped from the gas and they threw Jungkook’s left shoe down at the next exit point to check whether it was safe. They didn’t want to make the same mistake, Taehyung had made, jumping into the arms of death out of carelessness and fear. So far the gas seemed to be harmless, only making them cough although they couldn’t be sure that it wouldn’t have had negative side effects on their bodies later on. But that later felt out of reach taken that they could have died in any minute. They would have been utterly stupid to care about cancer or such although Wendy must have disagreed. Such a silly thought.

The group stared at the lonely shoe for long minutes before Yoongi climbed down and the others followed, their feet touching the ground one by one. When even Yerim got out of the pipes safely, her trembling hand holding onto Jungkook, they looked around silently in the enormous room with a dozen of computers in it. No one dared to speak about Taehyung’s selfish death hence the buzzing sound of the electronic devices slowly drove them nuts. They were finally inside the killing machine. Yet their limbs were frozen.

‘So… is this it? The main computer that can help us get out?’ Yerim asked in a small voice, her arms besides her sides. She took a step towards the biggest screen and looked up at it with her big doe eyes so innocent as if she was begging them to agree.

‘I think, yeah,’ Namjoon told her not one hundred percent sure of himself but at least he tried unlike their leader who walked next to the girl quietly then passed her by without a word to take a good look at the computer, he was so addicted to, from a different angle.

It was white, a warm blanket as thick as fog, the familiar scenery getting blurry and the IT guy’s limbs froze, legs unable to move. Yoongi snapped his head towards the corner where Seulgi should have been but the room was empty and he had suddenly found himself utterly alone. He furrowed his brows in confusion and lifted his hand in front of his right eye to rub it as if he could have magically gotten everyone back. It felt like a nightmare especially because his palms also became sweaty when he realized that his precious laptop bag had disappeared as well.

‘You ungrateful child! I asked you, I begged you not to go but you needed to prove yourself, hah? Aish. Look where your precious IT major has gotten you! You should have listened to me when you still had a chance. And now you’ll die without me being able to say goodbye. You’re such a cruel boy, Min Yoongi. You have never been easy on my heart!’ a sorrowful plea came from out of nowhere, blaming the prodigal son and begging him at the very same time, yearning for something quite impossible.

The always so rational boy shook his head, hands sliding onto her ears and knees trembling a little as he sat on his heels to find his balance. A tiny part of his sanity was aware of the fact that his mother couldn’t possibly be in Choego as the whole city was locked down and not to mention that she hated public transportation so much that she had barely left Daegu. Yet, his heart churned at the thought that she was close and that he could have talked with her one more time. He wanted to tell her a hella lot of things alongside his useless apologies. More than anything, he wanted her to know that he was grateful for everything she had done for him through the years, that he loved her regardless of their debates and that he felt truly sorry. He hadn’t made it easy for her either as he was ever so stubborn, lacking the ability of letting his emotions be shown without feeling overly anxious.

‘Mom? What are you…’ he spoke up with warm tears piercing his eyes and it was stupid, he knew but he couldn’t help it. It was so freaking realistic, he wanted to smash something or cry out helplessly. He was tired of this whole situation, of acting as if he had been truly hopeful when in reality he craved for reassurance just as much as the others. Under the cold exterior, he was just another human being who freaked out when he saw dead bodies and blood. He definitely hadn’t signed up for being a part of an impossible survivor show, a new generation Battle Royal with a smart city being their biggest enemy besides time.

There was a moment when his mother’s voice became so loud, his doubting thoughts melted into nothingness and he truly believed that it was over. That he would follow Seokjin and the others and die like a rat. It was a frightening thought.

He felt a stinging pain in his shoulder but he decided to not care about it too much until a small palm slapped him and his eyes opened wide. It was Yerim kneeling in front of him, face so close to his own that the boy could see the barely there moles on her nose regardless of the fog. She looked scared yet very much determined as she pulled away and mumbled a quiet sorry. Yoongi shook his head.

‘It’s fi—’

‘It’s a hallucination. Guys, it’s a hallucination. They’re not real!’ Yerim’s pitched voice echoed in the air once she stood up, running towards Jungkook so fast as if she felt guilty for not choosing him first. The memory of the younger’s teary eyes froze the IT guy’s limbs because even though it was only a wild guess on the boy’s part, he thought that those tears might have been brimming in her eyes because of her brother who had died in the basement of the local hospital. Just like in his case with his mom, they couldn’t have said goodbye to each other either. That must have been still hard on her. And Yoongi was sure that it would remain the same for the rest of her life, let there be one more hour or year ahead of the girl.

Just like Yerim, Jungkook hallucinated about Seokjin as well but while the eldest had seemed sad in his sister’s dreams, he was quite furious in the boy’s. He blamed him for his own death and screamed into his face, yearning for revenge.

‘You killed me! You killed both of us!’ he shouted and Jungkook didn’t even need to think hard to know whom he was referring to. The elder was talking about Gangnam Girl whose name had been so insignificant back then that the boy couldn’t even recall it. Seeing her begging for help, he had run towards the exit like a selfish child and had refused to mention to the others where she had been exactly or that he had seen her stuck behind the glass door.

The boy was aware of the fact that they were all responsible for themselves at first and only then came the others. He also knew that back then neither of them had known that the city would murder them one by one with its fucked up security system. So maybe others would have done the same as he had done. It didn’t make him a cold-blooded killer, it only showed how desperate he was to get a contract so that he could take care of his poor family. He was a good person, a good person. He was good. Seokjin knew nothing about him and his motives. Otherwise he wouldn’t have been so unfairly judging.

‘I’m sorry… I didn’t…’ he tried to reason but his tongue felt sore and he failed to form the words that mingled up in his mind. There was a helpless teardrop running down his cheek when two tiny palms slid onto his cheeks and his heart could finally rested in a warm embrace. He kept murmuring under his nose though, looking for an excuse that could have cleared his self-conscious. He did feel guilty for both the rich girl and Seokjin’s death.

Yerim didn’t leave Jungkook’s side and watching them, Yoongi pushed himself onto his feet and walked towards Seulgi who was indeed in one of the corners of the room where he had previously assumed. A few locks of her messy hair fell into her face, hands shielding her ears from whoever who was talking to her in her head. Her eyes were teary just like Yerim’s and it made the boy feel uneasy as he slowly made the distance between their bodies disappear.

‘If only, you would have been braver. You could have saved a lot more. But no, you needed to make it worse with that accident in the researcher building, didn’t you? I told you, smoking will kill you one day.’ It was her mother’s raspy voice but she was facing herself as if she had looked into a mirror. She couldn’t bear the sight.

There were lots of people throughout the years who had told Seulgi that she had reminded them of her mother but she had always shushed them away with a small wave of her hand. In her opinion, they couldn’t have been more different from each other as they had never once agreed on any topic let them talking about food or TV programmes that they could have watched during dinner. They had different taste in music, in actors, in holiday destination and in future plans. She preferred to stay in South Korea to build new and better houses on the countryside that could keep the poor warm while the woman wanted her to leave, to move to America and became just as wealthy as the chaebols she hated. Only later she had realized that when she had been in her age, her mother had had a twin sister who had died due to a robbery in that petrol station where she had bought her cigarettes most of the time. But regardless of this newfound information, she still couldn’t make herself quit smoking. She was an addict and life was too stressful.

A shiver ran down her spine when something warm wrapped around her wrists, peeling her hands off her ears with force. Even though she hated the feel of the touch, she was too weak to set herself free. She was stuck in her mind.

‘It’s not real. Snap out of it, Seulgi! You hear me? I’m the one who is real, not them. It’s me,’ a familiar voice addressed her but it was fairly quiet as if it had come from under heavy layers of icy water. So instead of listening to it or asking back who was talking to her, Seulgi kept her gaze on her reflection, on the voice that was blaming her, mocking her with wearing her own face.

She didn’t even realize that she was holding her breath back until insecure fingers started to play with her hair, whispering the same words into her ear over and over again. ‘I’m the one who is real. It’s me. I’m here.’

Namjoon stood in the middle of a room full of people and it was worse than being completely alone because they markedly didn’t want to listen no matter how loudly he screamed at them. They remained still, talking to each other, laughing on ridiculously nonsense jokes and acted as if he hadn’t been there in the first place. He couldn’t decide whom he should have walked up to first to shake a little sense into the emotionless bunch so he closed his eyes and pointed at someone blindly, taking a few unsure steps towards the chosen direction before the blood froze in his veins. He snapped his head at the door on his right, the little girl who had been his target a mere second ago, long forgotten.

‘Namjoon! Namjoon please help! I can’t breathe,’ Wendy said along with a cough that both scared the hell out of the boy and lifted those heavy weights off his chest that made it hard for him to breathe as well. Because his girlfriend was still alive and at that moment, nothing else mattered. Sadly, not even the fear in her voice. Namjoon’s mind shut it out entirely until the girl spoke up again, this time a little weaker after a more painful cough. ‘Something is wrong with the air, it’s suffocating as if the whole building was on fire. Help me!’

There was a loud thud and then silence.

‘Wendy?’ her name, as a question, fell from the boy’s lips while he ran to the door, trying to tear it open. But there was no handle, he could have grabbed.

He slid down along the metal and hit the object with his fist until it became numb and sore. It hurt as it was bleeding on his knuckles but he couldn’t give a damn about the physical pain. The thought of losing Wendy again was much worse because this time it would have indeed been all his fault. It would have been him who couldn’t save her.

‘Namjoon, please. I don’t want to die, not yet. Please,’ she begged him but her voice came from another direction this time that forced the boy’s eyebrows to the middle of his forehead. He looked around in confusion, his gaze observing the crowd but as he paid close attention to the mass of people, he noticed that they had no faces nor ears. They looked like a bunch of lifeless dolls, one could have seen in shop windows. It didn’t make any sense. A few minutes prior he had heard them laugh so hard, he wanted to punch them in the face.

His legs were wobbly when he stood up and turned towards the metal door that changed into a transparent wall. Now, Namjoon could see the hallway in front of the room but the corridor was empty and the air looked fresh.

‘Where are you, babe? Wendy, where are you?’ he asked in despair turning around multiple times, running from one puppet to the other. He pushed a few on the ground carelessly, not bearing the thought of wasting his time while his girlfriend was in danger. He wouldn’t let this shapeshifting building take her away from him now that he got her back.

His heartbeats were so loud that he needed to stop for a minute and calm down otherwise it could have been possible that he would go totally deaf before he could have deciphered the instructions that the girl gave him. So after his short-lived rampage, his movements came to a halt and he closed his eyes to be able to focus more effectively, repeating his question over and over again until he finally got an answer so weak, it churned his heart. It sounded as if it came from a ghost.

‘It’s so dark, I can’t see,’ she claimed and the first thing that came to the boy’s mind was that they had buried her under pretty flowers. Was she calling for him from her coffin? Could she had been still alive underneath, waiting for him to get her out of that stupid hole? Was this freaking city developed enough to heal major wounds, to save lives even when people failed? It seemed so impossible and yet Namjoon found himself believing in his childish ideas. He wanted to believe that somehow Wendy had survived the blood loss, that miracles existed in Choego.

But then came a faint knock from behind his back and this time it echoed on the surface of a wooden door that had a handle.

‘I… I love you. I… I wanted to have a family with you. I… I’m so sorry,’ the girl confessed quietly and it was so out of the character from her, apologizing when she didn’t do anything wrong. Because regardless of their stupid debate that had been started with her comment on his cooking skills, he couldn’t put the blame on her without feeling bitter. He could have also chosen to stay and eat the lunch they had been about to prepare. No one had forced him to run away.

He had wanted to have a family with her too but Wendy had been always adamant when the topic had come up between them at home. She had worked super hard to become an excellent doctor and settling down and having children together would have ruined everything for her. She had wanted to have a stable career before she would have gotten pregnant. Namjoon had usually understood her reasoning and he had loved her so much, he could have waited for her to be ready, but the fact that she had been so against the idea had hurt him nevertheless. So now when he could hear the sincerity in her faint voice, the whole wide world turned into something worthless and insignificant in his eyes. The core of his existence was Wendy and the medic girl alone who had never failed to take care of him when he had caught the cold.

‘I’m coming. Please hold on for a little while. I’m coming,’ he said but the door got further and further away with every step he took.

‘I’m so scared, Joon-ah,’ she admitted and the boy could imagine how hard it could have been for her to show him her vulnerable side. Out of the two of them, it had been always Wendy who had been the stronger.

He brushed the hand off his shoulder when someone touched him then snapped at the intruder harshly for stealing some of his precious time. Yet, the doll didn’t back off, not even when he pushed her onto the ground. No. It stared at him horrified as it put on a familiar face. It looked at him with Yerim’s big doe eyes, unshed tears shining in them like restless stars on the cloudy sky.

‘Namjoon, stop! It’s not Wendy! It’s a hallucination, the fog’s doing,’ Seulgi tried to reason, touching his upper arm tentatively but even for the lightest touch, the boy snapped. He slid his angry gaze to the other girl and gritted his teeth. Seulgi was the last person he had wanted to encounter with now that he was on his way to his girlfriend. The same girl whom he had lost due to the Architecture major’s incompetence. 

‘Let go of me!’ he pushed her further as well, and it was only because of Yoongi that she didn’t lose her balance the same way as Yerim had done. Namjoon was much stronger when he was angry than any of them would have guessed. They simply couldn’t stop him marching towards the door. ‘She needs me. She’s waiting for me. I can’t leave her alone,’ he told them before he speeded up and grabbed the handle.

‘Snap out of it, man!’ Jungkook shouted after him, voice trembling at the end of his sentence. He couldn’t believe what was about to happen in front of his eyes, in front of all of them.

Because one thing was inevitable once Namjoon opened the door and crossed the threshold to step out to the hallway where Taehyung’s body laid. The laser cut him into pieces before he could have screamed. He smelled like roasted meat, falling onto the ground in five different directions.

Jungkook grabbed Yerim’s elbow and pulled her into his embrace on instinct so that he could cover the dreadful sight of the lifeless body parts and the flood of blood on the tiles. Then he also buried his face into the girl’s hair as if it could have functioned as a curtain between the world and them. It couldn’t.

Seulgi kept her eyes on Yoongi and the IT guy just stared at the still figure, dumbfounded. It took him long minutes to collect himself and walk back to the main computer, looking for the control panel of the aircon that could have helped them suck the fog out of the air. As they didn’t need the door to make the air clearer, Seulgi closed it, trying not to glance at the bodies before she leaned her forehead against the door and made an attempt to even her breathing in vain. Even if one of them was Taehyung, it was definitely too much to handle.

The silence that was broken only by the buzzing sound of the computers was suffocating, Jungkook thought, while he fondled Yerim’s hair. This time she didn’t cry like the boy had expected from her. Her shoulders didn’t shake, not even a little. And her stillness was more frightening than her tears had ever been before.

➼  XIII. chapter

[elliemarchetti]

Holiday Inconveniences (part 7)

Last chapter. It’s been fun to write this but even fun things has to end, right? In addition, some stories end right at the beginning and this is definitely one of them.

Previous chapters and everything I’ve ever wrote

Words: 1512

Mare didn't know why she let Kilorn drag her to the skating rink. Christmas has passed and as always it had performed his miracle: his best friend, because it was now obvious that they were just that and nothing more, had revealed to her that he had a crush on the mechanic's daughter, who Mare couldn’t remember very well as she was younger, but she was still happy for him, while she and Cal had started chatting and he had even been invited for dinner on the 25th, where he seemed to have had a lot of fun. Everything had worked out for the best but now it seemed to her that the situation was rapidly getting out of hand: first of all she couldn’t skate, yet she was in the queue, waiting to receive her own pair of shoes with blades with which she was sure she would’ve ended up cutting herself. Secondly, her whole family knew how much she hated crowded places and put herself to the test when she wasn’t sure she would succeed, at least in a mediocre way, in her intent; not only did she hate being embarrassed - but honestly, who liked it? - but she was the type of person who was easily frustrated and the only answer she had when she was helpless before the evidence was to get angry, so the reason why she was there, where anyone else skated like a damned pros, even children, remained a mystery for her, as long as she didn’t want to admit, only to herself if she didn’t want to lose a limb, that Diana’s story about how she used to skate on frozen lakes with her mother and sister before they died had moved her and perhaps made her pity her brother’s girlfriend a little. Obviously she was sure Diana hadn’t told the anecdote with that purpose but only overwhelmed by the enthusiasm for Gisa's proposal but in any case that was the result and she certainly couldn’t change it now, even if she was sure that she would fall as soon as she was managed to stand up.

"Don't pout, I don’t know how you managed to get to today without ever having tried since you’ve been spending your holidays here since you were born.” Kilorn exclaimed, and Mare, for a brief moment, was tempted to nudge him hard in the ribs. Although he would never admit it, it was obvious that he had insisted so much on making her participate in that hateful activity just to strut with Cameron, which raised volutes of ice while, together with her twin, was spinning like one of the best figure skater in the whole world. And she would’ve been the best ridiculous wingman ever if only she hadn't seen Cal in the crowd, intent on teaching two identical children - how many chances two pairs of twins were on the same tiny skating rink? - how to turn gracefully but without losing speed. That tiny distraction was enough to send her to crash into someone else and then fall on him. With a curse, Mare tried to get up just to slide again. The victim seemed a little confused but scratching the back of his head he sat up.

"If you couldn't wait to get back into my arms, you could’ve just say it." the boy teased her, and Mare stiffened. A few inches from her face, Maven Merandus' piercing blue eyes peered at her as if not a day had passed since their last meeting and she was just the stupid little girl who had believed his lies.

  Cal just couldn't understand. The last time he had met Mare it had been a couple of days after Christmas: she had asked him to meet at the station, where she had told him that they could be nothing but friends and that she was grateful for the time they had spent together but that she had to go back to college earlier than expected and that it was better if they didn't see each other again. Cal had tried to respect her decision, having a nightmare holiday during which Maven had been more braggart than usual, but now she was there, in front of his uncle's house where the snow that had joined them now turned into a smear-gray mash, and he didn’t know who to interpret it.

"I don't want to miss you anymore." she said. Cal didn't know how to respond and when Mare realized he wasn't going to do it, she went on. "I’m selfish, I know, and I shouldn’t be here.” she concluded with a sigh, as if she were ready to leave. Cal understood how difficult it was for her to be sincere, to make herself vulnerable, and he would’ve appreciated if only he could understand what all that nonsense meant.

"Have you ever wanted something while knowing that you shouldn't have wanted it?" she asked after a long silence. He almost laughed. According to his father and stepmother, everything he wanted was wrong from every point of view, no matter how important it was to him, how much he needed it.

"Sorry, it was a really shitty idea. I should go." she said, turning away, but Cal grabbed her by the arm. She was behaving in an absolutely illogical way by showing up at his house and then running away again, moreover, it was evident that she wanted to tell him everything, that what she was trying to keep hidden from him weighted on her heart to the point she could hardly hold back a nervous breakdown.

"I wish I could tell you everything..." she murmured, lowering her eyes, but it hadn't escaped Cal that they had filled with tears.

"You don't have to. If you need to be told that it's okay not to know, I'll tell you. I don't care." he replied, shaking his head. "It’s enough for me to know that there is something you would like to tell me but you cannot and if one day it will come out, regardless of what it is, it’ll be my problem because the decision to go ahead without knowing is mine."

"In any other case it would be enough." she replied, continuing to observe her feet. It made no sense but he was sorry to insist, especially when he saw how important it was for her to keep this thing to herself. Cal rubbed his face, clearly frustrated. What did she want from him? He had done nothing but repeat her he didn’t care about this secret, that he wanted her regardless of everything and he didn’t know what else to do to convince her his words were genuine. If he had followed common sense, as his father would’ve suggested, he would’ve closed it, sending her off and ending what she can’t obviously do. But he wasn’t his father and acting with common sense had never taken him anywhere, therefore he continued that absurd discussion: “I’m the right man, Mare! I’m the one for you and I know it because you’re the only one that’s right for me.”

Her pleading gaze told him that he wasn’t helpful for her purpose but that was just what he wanted. What a strange desire was for someone to break your heart, yet it was perfect for her, who knew how to be stubborn and weak at the same time, in the wrong and in the reason, a mix of opposites that attracted him to the point that he didn't even realize he had took her face in his hands. It was she who placed her lips delicately on his, as if the mere thought of doing it again killed her but at the same time she would’ve died if she hadn’t. How such intense feelings be felt by someone who had known each other for a couple of weeks? Was it love at first sight? Was this what had happened between his father and mother? Surely she described it like this in her diary, a legacy his uncle had decided to give him on his twentieth birthday, considering him old enough to bear the wright of the words that were written in there. Just as her mother had felt more than twenty years ago, Cal too had never enough of Mare and he continues to kiss her even while he took her in his arms, her legs wrapped around his hips. A groan of excitement escaped Cal's lips when he pressed her against the wall and began to move and rub his pelvis against hers. If it had been someone else he would’ve taken her there, perhaps under the fire stairs, but it was Mare and although they had known each other in an odd way now he wanted to do everything right.

"I'll take you home, and as much as I don't want you to leave and I'll curse myself until the last of my days, I want to do it all over again and take you to dinner first."

[jamlally]

Baby it’s cold outside

This was written for the 25 days of Christmas Challenge that is hosted by  @panicfob .  The Day 10 Challenge prompt was Snow Storm

Warnings: Fluff and suggestions of sex

Pairing: Tony Stark x OFC (Belle Porter),

Summary:Tony has a surprise for Belle and the weather has a surprise for them both

Being woken up in the early hours wasn’t common place but it also wasn’t entirely unusual.  Belle had spent the night in her own apartment for a change as Tony had been hung up on some project that kept him up late and had him coming to bed in the early hours.  No matter how quiet he tried to be she would still wake up when he came back to his apartment and when he did manage to fall asleep it wasn’t restful.  Belle needed one nights solid rest so they had agreed that she would sleep in her own bed for the night, and then they would go back to her staying in his room.

It hadn’t been long since things had moved on to the more physical level between the,, but Belle found that she had missed his warmth and his smell when she tried settle own to sleep. After an hour of tossing and turning she had wrapped herself up in a blanket and headed up to Tony’s apartment, stolen a hoodie that replaced the blanket and headed back to her own bed,  Surrounded in his musky amber scent sleep had come more easily - week right up until the lights in her apartment had turned on and the man himself was shaking her shoulder

“Snowflake, hey come on baby rise and shine”

“Tony?” She was confused and groggy “What time is it?”

“Oh its’ early, maybe 4 but I have a surprise for you”. He was crouched down at her level, eyes looking tired but full of life

“Couldn’t it wait until a little later my love ?” Tired as she was she returned his grin with her own sleepy smile “You could join me in here”

“Mmmmm as tempting as that is I  don’t want to spoilt the surprise” He ran his hands under the covers one skimming up her leg while the other found her waist ‘Is that my hoodie I feel.  Was my girl missing me?”

Belle blushed a little “No I think you’ll find I’m wearing it so its mine.” Tony chuckled “Fair enough.  Now up you get, put on something warm, and meet mean the garage in 5” A quick hint of a kiss and he was off  leaving Belle grumbling as she went to freshen up.

Bundled up in a warm jacket, jeans and numerous other layers Belle made her way to the garage to find Tony, who was stood leaning against one of the larger SUV’s cup of what she guessed was coffee in one hand and his ever present phone in the other

“There’s my girl, hop on in.  I put coffee in there for you”  She got another quick kiss on the way passed and then she was settled into the passenger seat coffee in one hand, her other resting on Tony’s thigh.  Content with drinking her coffee and watching the world fly by Belle simply enjoyed the quiet.  About 30 minutes in she realized that other than out of the city she had no idea of where they were going 

“OK so it’s 5am and we are out of the city, so do you want to tell me where we are going?”

“Hmm nice of you to ask but no, that would spoil the surprise”

“Ok and why are we having this surprise? Is this like Natasha’s gift?”

“Ohh now there’s an interesting idea but no.  I know that I’ve been busy and it probably feels like I’ve been ignoring you.  In fact I probably have been a bit.  When I get into my head sometimes I loose track of things and I need to just get things don.  It makes me hard to be around and …look I know I’m a pain in the ass most of the time, but I need you to know that even when I get caught up I miss you”

“Tony, that’s not something you need to worry about.  I understand that’s the way you work and I accept that - it’s a part of who you are”

“You say that now but some day it’ll get annoying and then we will fight, and trust me, based on passed experience it won’t end well”

Belle sighed “Is this because of where I slept?  If it is we tased about that Tony.  We both needed uninterrupted rest.  You wake me when you get I and I wake you when I go out.  It was just a night.  Hell I count even sleep without your hoodie”

“I dint want to take any chances so we’re having a surprise.  Now why don’t you settle down find us something to listen to and enjoy the drive”

Tabling the conversation for the moment Belle picked up Tonys phone and scrolled through it finding some podcast that sounded interesting putting it on for them both to listen to.  Settling back she watched as the miles passed by.

Two hours into the drive Belle suddenly sat up looking at the signs in more detail and paying more attention to her surroundings.  

“Tony are we heading to the Catskills?” She asked more than a little excited 

She got a grin in answer and Belle found herself bouncing a little e in her seat in excitement

The cabin they pulled up to was beautiful, set amongst the trees, warm lights already spilling out the windows.  Belle looked between Tony and the cabin until he nodded, then she jumped out the SUV and headed up to the door.  It was colder than she imagined it would be outside and the air smelled crisp and almost sharp.  

“Come on slow poke - I want to look inside” she called back to Tony, the excitement clear in her voice.  

‘Put your thumb on the reader and the door will unlock” he called. Back moving to the trunk

“Of course it will” Belle muttered to herself,  She wasn’t sure she would ever get used to the amount of tech that surrounded her.  Sure enough the door opened and she walked into a stunning log cabin. The hallway branched off into a living room, dining area and kitchen and what looked like possibly a bathroom, while a set of stairs lead, she guessed up to at least one bedroom.

The click of the door alerted her to Tony’s presence.  Im going to light a fire and get the stove working, why don’t you take our bags upstairs to the room.  Turning Belle was surprised to see Tony had 2 small duffles with him 

“Now how on earth did you manage to get a bag packed for me ?”

Tony just grinned “Thats my secret.  Now chop chop we have relaxing to be doing so off you go”

The upper level gad a couple of bedrooms and a bathroom, Belle picked the room with an en suite and put the bags at the foot of the the bed.  Checking the bags he found one filled with new bottles of her toiletries and a pile of casual clothes, most of which looked to be hers though there seemed to be a couple of new sweaters.  Smiling she pulled out a loose charcoal grey one that she definitely hadn’t seen before.  It felt wonderfully soft and when she pulled it on she felt content.

“So not that I’m complaining, because this is wonderful, but why did we have to leave so early to com here”

“Well I had this all kind of planned but then the weather looked like it might not cooperate so I figured that we would just move the plans up a little bit. Ohh and can I just sy that who ever picked that sweater has excellent taste, it looks wonderful on you”

Belle moved up to Tony sliding her arms around his neck “MmmmHmmm not only does it look good but it feels wonderful too.  It’s from my man on the side, he has wonderful taste”

Man on the side huh.  Well he better watch out, I’m not a man that likes go share” Tony dropped his voice to something that was closer a growl before nipping at Belle’s neck.  Belle giggled and moved in closer.

“Seriously though Tony, thank you for this, it’s a wonderful idea”

“So my plan was to make some breakfast and some coffee, maybe sit in here and read, and maybe do some other things too” queue eyebrow wiggle

“Now that sounds like an idea, how about I go get started in the kitchen, see what food we have and you can start on the coffee”  Belle knew that if Tony had picked the coffee maker then he would probably be the only one who could work out how to get the damn this to brew.

They worked in companionable silence, steeling occasional kisses, and touches as they pulled together food before eventually retiring back to the loving room, coffee cups refilled, ready to relax.  Tony had produced books from another bag and the pair snuggled on the sofa to read.

“So I did some research and there is supposed to be an amazing hiking trail not far from here,  I thought we could pack a lunch and head out for a bit seeing as the weather is still good” Tony broke the silence, causing Belle to blink a little sleepily,  She hadn’t been asleep but, she wasn’t that far from a quick doze.

“That sounds good, i'll freshen up and then we can head out?” 

“No rush baby”

It.turns out that there was a reason to rush. They had found the trail easily enough and it was nice and clear making it easy to follow.  There had been an epic view about an hour in and they had stopped to have lunch, before heading off again. Another 10 minutes in and the wind suddenly picked but, and it was sharp and cold.  Tony had checked in with FRIDAY and had quickly turned them round to head back, but it turned out that they couldn’t outrun the weather.  About half way back the wind had brought snow with it and it fell faster than Belle had ever seen.  The ground grew slippery and the snow started to settle.  

“You said the weather was going stay good”. Belle  squealed as she slipped her way around the last corner before the cabin would come into sight

“Actually I said that the weather had stayed good, but regardless I probably should have checked” Tony called back raising hi spouse to be heard over the wind. “I didn’t think that the weather would come in that fast” 

Belle gave laugh  holding out her hand for him to grab “ Me either, come on if we hurry we will get back before it gets much worse”

Tony wrapped his hand around hers letting Belle tug him closer laughing at just how crazy the situation was .  The lights of the cabin were a beacon to the pair and they sped up as soon as their target was in site. Tony fumbled with his gloves to get his hand out to unblock to door and Belle shuffled trying to keep warm, her teach chattering 

“Ok Snowdrop in you go” Tony pulled her forward into the still cozy living room before slipping in and pushing the door closed.  The wind was rattling and whistling and the light was dimming as the storm hit full force.

“Ok Snowflake strip and then it’s off to the shower to get warm. Tony was already shedding his jacket and boots and leaving them by the door.  

Belle fumbled with zippers and laces as she freed herself from the layers, teeth chattering she took Tony’s hand “I think I need to help to make sure that all of me gets warmed up”

“As my lady wishes” Tony puled her back to rest against his front, causing Belle to squeal when his cold nose pressed against her shoulder

The shower was more than big enough for the two of them and the rainfall shower head meant they were doused in hot water in seconds.  Hands ran over bodies, lips touched and sucked on flesh and moans filled the steamy air.  

Lying in bed arms wrapped around each other, breathing returning to normal Belle couldn’t believe how relaxed and safe she felt. The weather was wild with the wind screaming but she felt untouchable, wrapped in the cocoon of the man that she had realized she quite probably loved.  She wasn’t sure if he felt the same, and she was damned sure that she wasn’t ready to tell him, but in her heart the knew that the truth was there.

When Belle next opened her eyes, the light from the bathroom was the only thing that let her see anything.  She slipped out from under Tony’s arm and the covers stopping to grab some panties, thick socks and the grey sweater from earlier.  Heading down to the kitchen Belle started to put together something for dinner that would fill them and warm,  She also started a batch of mulled wine for later.  Looking out of window there wasn’t anything to be seen other than a smiling mass of snow.  The wind hadn’t settled down at all from earlier and periodically she could hear the wind ratting the front door.

She was adding more  wood to the fire when Tony came down the stairs and she glanced up at him

“Hey, the storms really picked up, I don’t think were doing any outside activities for a while, but I’ve got dinner on”

“Hmm well when I come down to a view like this I don’t feel the need to go outside.  Come here baby girl”

Laying a final piece of wood in the grate Belle stood and saunters over, adding a little more sway to her hips, her eyes fixed on Tony.  Pausing in front of him she reached out a hand to run it over his sweater covered chest 

“The views pretty good from here too” she murmured  before stepping in for a kiss which ended up pulling a moan from herself.

Tony leaned in closer deepening the kiss, one hand running down to squeeze a handful of her ass. “I need to go and check on dinner” Belle whispered against his lips

“Well I need to check on whats under that sweater” he more or less groveled back 

Belle laughed  slapping him gently on his chest “ Back up Mr and if you’re good I’ll let you have a look later”

Tony let her go but gave her a stinging slap on her behind as soon as she headed away from him before he went to look out the front door.  

“Ah mulled wine too” 

“Yep, I made us a beef stew and the rice is nearly done, I figured mulled wine would be a nice way to finish dinner”

“That sounds and smells amazing” His lips were back on her neck and arms around her waist “I just had a look outside and checked in with FRIDAY we’re pretty much snowed in, and the storm isn’t going to let up for at least 24 hours”

“So you’re saying that we are stranded here, all alone together for at least 24 hours, what ever will we do Mr Stark?”  Belle couldn’t keep the amusement out of her voice

“Oh don’t you worry Agent Porter I’ve got plans for you”

[coreshorts]

Chance

Wind whipped through the drahn’s hair, violent and unabating. The smell of the sea, the silence of the rock, of the motionless water, washed over her senses. She descended rapidly, eyes closed to the blinding, unnaturally-radiant light that suffused the sea around her and her horns, through the whipping of the wind, the shouts and angry clamour of men from above as it grew more and more distant, eventually drowned out entirely by the rush of air.

Below her lay not water, but rock. She knew well where she was destined to touch down, headfirst. She knew she would not survive. Doubts welled in her mind, but she tamped them down. She wanted to struggle, to stop her descent, but failure, in her mind, rage in her soul, and a horrible, aching corruption welling in her body for not the first, but the second time, all told her one thing: death was her best chance.

Taking a breath as the rocks grew closer, she held it, squeezing her eyes shut as she felt the presence of the ground drawing near…

Holly Morningtide, known once as Hali Naras, or even Asashio no Haruhi, had been given an assignment: as a guard of the Crystarium - the last bastion on Norvrandt against the force of primordial Light and its terrible sin eaters, creature much like voidsent, but aspected to the light, rather than a corrupted, dark nothingness - she was tasked with gaining information on Eulmore.

Tensions had been growing thicker over the last few years, Eulmore’s trade becoming somewhat-strangled by its lord, Vauthry, whose decree had been to focus on enjoying the supposed last days the world had. Eulmore’s Free Citizens and their “Bonded” - indentured slaves, as Holly understood it, bound to their masters for a chance at a “better life”, or at least to spend their last days in relative comfort as they worked for those who did nothing - made the woman somewhat ill, the more she watched them. They had no interest in trade, anymore, but, military might they once were, some still engaged out of courtesy. She was to figure out why things had taken such a turn. No other could enter - not without becoming a citizen - and so it was that she would become one… after gaining entrance.

Trained as a shinobi, a ninja, she made a good spy for the Crystarium Guard. She touted her skill and showed it well, earning her a place of importance as the first of the Crystarium’s agents to sneak into the island. She was to observe the citizenry, to emulate them and take on a persona for as long as she could that would get her ingratiated, then slip away once she could find any information on the goings-on.

For three days, by her reckoning, did she watch the city, hiding amongst the shantytown nearby, watching and listening. She gathered information as best she could. The city itself was accessed by a single bridge, leading to a guarded stairwell. The beach around the small islet was best by yet more of the shantytown: The Derelicts, she learned. She’d find no allies, here. To a man, she surmised, any of them would sell her out for their place amongst the elite, living easy in the gaudy city above. Swimming up to the shore would be difficult without being seen. However, there would be no easy way to get past a guarded gate with nothing but cliff to either side. Being noticed would not be to her advantage, and she was not to cause a fight. Thus, for two more days, she waited…

After nearly a week of camping in squalor, dirty and uncomfortable, she witnessed a ceremony at the gates that drew her attention and gave her what she needed: her in. A pair of jesters, dressed in red and blue and speaking in insufferable rhymes, presented themselves to the shantytown’s residents like saviours, handing out a strange food that felt strange to her. It felt of nothing, and even beholding it from afar, it turned her stomach. They called it meol, and the people were elated. They lined up for it, then they performed, promised, begged to be let in, to earn their keep. In the end, one was chosen: a young drahn girl - a Xaela, she’d have been called back home - was taken in for her cooking skill, presenting a dish she’d made from gathered herbs, meats and vegetables. It was deliciously fragrant, gaining the attention of quite a few, given the living situation. She had to have been saving those ingredients for some time. Holly gazed on from her place in the shadows and felt a pang of familiarity with the girl. Despite the ragged ingredients, the dish was expertly-made. For a moment, she even felt proud of the girl. Then, she was let in. At that point, the guardswoman followed from the shadows. Following them might be her way in, so long as she could remain unnoticed.

Undetected she remained. Up through the doors into the bottom level, she had to take a moment to slip aside and allow herself a moment’s respite from the culture shock. In an instant, she had passed from broken stone and wooden planks from the derelict military ships that once served as part of the nation’s great navy to a decadent, colourful - garish, even - and altogether clean place. All-too-suddenly was she aware of the smell she’d accumulated while hiding with the paupers of the shantytown for so long. Stealth would avail her no longer if she could be sniffed out. She would have to make her entrance somewhere…

She found it. A queue for registration. It was unsupervised once behind the city walls, and so she slipped into the line where a gap formed only briefly, just behind another blonde woman. She quickly patted her hair about to make it as close to identical as she could, given her silver streaks, and there she stood. She encountered little resistance, the man seeming to be preoccupied with the riches that had already surrounded him - promises of a better life… while it lasted - and before long, she was at the registration booth. The other drahn girl had already come and gone, hurried along to meet with her new “owners,” as Holly understood it.

“Name?” rang the bored, vapid question, rousing her from her thoughts. She found herself before a rather well-to-do-looking mystel man with blue hair and very a look on his face of boredom surpassing even his tone.

“...Leah,” she spoke quickly, assuming a familiar role - the anxious, shy girl, so similar to how she’d been so many years ago - before she cleared her throat and stuttered, “L-Leah Arlon.”

“Talent?”

The first word to her mouth wanted to be “chef,” but with the dark-scaled girl having come and gone, that might be too soon…

“Songstress.” This gained a pause from the man, who checked his records then shrugged. Holly’s heart raced.

“Uh… to whom?” he asked, gaining a bitten lip from her in response.

“I-I don’t remember, sir, I… I-I-it was… only mentioned once.”

The man sighed, then pulled up a monocle to check the papers, muttering, “...well, we’ve… two Citizens expecting a songstress. In high demand of late, aren’t you…? Anyhow, you’re either for Ryn-Tokka or Madame Haylin.”

“O-oh! I- I was to see M-Madame Haylin,” she says quickly, “S-sorry, I, ah-”

“Mgh,” the man muttered, looking irate, “You weren’t scheduled until the morrow… Well, whatever. I can take it up with them later. Go on, then. Get yourself made proper. Madame Haylin is on the north terrace, all the way up the stairs once you’re… presentable.”

The man’s disgusted face at her made her want to snap back, but she kept the persona intact, nodding and sputtering apologies before being lead, blessedly to a room with showers and fresh changes of clothes, where some other number of Bonded milled about, ushering those who had been registered along. She, too, was hurried on and shown to a shower and given new clothes into which she could change with some additional commentary on her state of cleanliness. Again, though, she bit back comments and hurried along, eager, really, to get cleaned and refreshed. When she changed her clothes, she bundled up her old pauper disguise and left it. It had nothing she needed, given her gear and weaponry were hidden beneath, in bands of kunai and shuriken. She had elected not to carry any larger weaponry, given the nature of the mission.

So it was she was shown up to the upper levels… and that was where she disappeared once again. The Mistress to whom she was supposed to report, undoubtedly wouldn’t know any better, though she had to feel sorry for the registration clerk who had to explain the next day why a slot had already been filled by someone who wasn’t there. Regardless, she had her mission. It was time to find what she needed to blend in.

A trinket here and there, stalk this woman or that man, then take a bauble or an outfit from their drawers when they’re not looking… and there she was. In just under a couple hours, she’d assembled the perfect look for a free citizen. She restyled her hair, pulling it back out from the long ponytail it’d been in before and up into a tight Ishgardian-style chignon that Dahlia - Odellia, here - had taught her, and, with a bit of pilfered makeup, she was a different woman. Finally, the air was hers to take, and so she puffed out her little chest, lidded her eyes ever-so-slightly, batted her eyelashes and took to a confident swagger around the city. 

The difficult part of the mission was over. She was in, engaging in small talk with the citizenry, snooping with what her sense for aether could tell, every little detail finely standing out for inspection in such a barren, sleeping world, so frozen as it was by the Light, and taking notes in private. A day passed, and she remained awake for the whole time. Exhaustion wore heavy, but she continued with her mission. 

She’d learned much, and all of it was written in her notes. She was resolved to hear more of their Lord Vaurthy, though, and so she stayed a bit longer… and then she saw her once more: the waifish, black-scaled drahn girl - the chef - from before was being lambasted by a lanky man with a grating voice and an all-too-familiar sneer, both speaking on a nearby balcony.

She knew the sneer. A man, once, with such foul intentions as to traumatise her at every turn, to belittle and crush her as best he could with every step, had worn the same. She dared not recall the name for the fury it brought in her. Fury, however, would not be denied.

“And you expect to call yourself a chef?” the man asked, a mixed drink in his hand, freshly delivered by the girl, “The dodo was good, of course...”

The girl looked confused, piping up as if to ask for clarification, a confused look on her face. She didn’t get a word in before the drink was splashed on her, staining her shirt, soaking her hair, and pelting her with ice. She gasped, flailing as if to try and defend herself against the liquid offence.

“Do I look like I want good, girl?” the man hissed in her face as she began to sob, shaking her head and giving a choked “no, sir,” as she reeled from the suddenness of the assault.

“I want phenomenal. We are going to have another talk,” he said, grinning sadistically, pointing to her, then grabbing her roughly by the wrist, which, Holly noticed, was already bruising, the girl’s pale blue skin already mottled with a few bruises that briefly flashed in the part of her dress as she was yanked along.

Fury, however, would not be denied. She was too tired, too worn from the atrocious, ignorant opulence of the place. To see such an abuse, the threat of more atop it, brought back memories within her that brought a terrible flame to her heart, dark and angry and vengeful.

Vengeance, too, came quick, nor would it be denied. She’d already drawn stares as she felt herself move. She was no longer in control. The dark craved vengeance. It called for blood. The girl was no longer real, but a spectre of her past, whimpering and struggling, soaked in alcohol and fruit juices. The man became as Crawford.

The drahn saw her advance first, eyes wide at the woman who approached, wreathed in darkness that drew hushed stares from nearby and eyes ringed with hateful red that caused people to part like butter for a knife. A knife.

That was all it took. With one practised, fluid motion, she loosed a kunai into her hand and let it fly with deadly aim. As the man turned to see the cause of the hush, he found himself struck dead, a black, foreign blade lodged in his temple and out the eye of the other side of his head. His grasp fell limp and the girl was the first to scream. As she scrambled, a panic ensued, and guards came storming the area, several spears thrust within inches of her head before she could react. 

The Might of the Eulmoran military… she thought to herself, then raised her hands in obedient surrender.

“Move!” She was jabbed roughly in the back. Though it didn’t tear cloth, it hurt.

“Now!” A soft cry rang out from elsewhere.

“Take them to Lord Vauthry!”

Them? she thought, then froze, realising the other cry, causing her heart to skip a beat and her blood to chill. Looking toward the girl, she, too, had been surrounded by guards, and in much the same manner. There was no choice but to go along. She would damn the girl if she fought, let alone her mission. Even if she escaped, which she could have, the innocent girl whose life she had just taken from bad to worse in the sake of deluded vengeance would suffer even more. Slowly, she began to march in time with the soldiers, on across the balcony, up a lift, and toward a massive room.

Her senses burned. Sin eaters were surrounding the room. Sin eaters. At the other end, across a vast, empty floor, sat a man more gargantuan and more grotesque than some monsters she had seen: Lord Vauthry sat, reclining against a great, winged lion of an eater, another stroking its plaster-like mane softly.

“Hm-hrmh?!” the man exclaimed in surprise, massively obese form wobbling from the shocked motion he made as the doors were flung open, “What is the meaning of this? Explain!”

“My Lord,” the guard at the head explains, “This woman has murdered a fellow Free Citizen in cold blood. The deceased’s Bonded was brought, as well.”

“Well, what do you expect me to do about this, hrm?!” the man rumbled irritably, “You are here for a reason!” “Y-yes sir, but… she is clearly guilty. Many here witnessed it. It was done in plain sight.”

“Wha- how unbelievably brazen! I can’t believe my ears! You! Woman! What is your name? Speak, this instant!”

She spat the first pseudonym that came to mind: “Vivian Blake.”

“And why, Miss Blake, are you under the presumption that your magnanimous lord would allow you to… to murder another? In my paradise?”

She remained silent, the red still burning in her eyes, ever so faintly. The man felt an awful presence. It was like he was part sin-eater, though, with the whole room practically withered with static, Light-seared aether, it was hard to tell.

Vauthry flailed his meaty arms in anger, setting himself aquiver again, “Answer me, you harlot!”

“I beheld… a wicked man who would harm an innocent. A criminal in, as you say, your paradise,” she said in a low rumble.

This brought a befuddled noise from him, though he looked no less angry.

“You are not here to serve as a guard, woman!” he shouted, already throwing aside her name, “You are here on my good graces to live out your remaining days in PEACE! PEACE! And you have the gall to bring violence upon another? Bring her to me! At once!”

“W-what of the girl, Lord Vauthry?” asked one of the guards. 

The globular man turned his head back to look at the guard with a suddenly-bored expression, then grunted, “There’s no more use for her. There is no place in my paradise for the worthless and the craven. She goes over.”

The girl began to weep bitterly, begging for her life, and as she was ushered out into the room and beyond the line of lounging eaters toward the edge of the open-air room’s edge, Hali shot forward an ilm before she was clubbed on the back of the head and sent staggering forward, dazed.

“Ohoho! So eager to see the death of the girl you damned?” crooned Vauthry, “No. You must be… redeemed…! Come! Come to me, my pet.”

At his command, the eater that had been stroking the lion rose and gracefully stepped through the air as if walking on land to float at the grotesque lord’s side.

“You-... this is… insanity…” Holly grunted as her head spun.

“No, my dear Vivian,” the man retorted as his guards escorted the girl to the edge, “This… is paradise.” 

A trailing scream from off the side of the balcony was suddenly met with a sharp one from Holly as the eater reached out and sunk spindly, gold-tipped fingers into her chest as though they were knives. They felt like knives - worse than knives - and she knew what was happening immediately: she was being corrupted.

“Leave her with me,” Vauthry commanded, “I will watch her redemption… myself.”

The hand pulled back and she slumped forward, gasping for breath as the guards filed out of the room in an orderly fashion. A hand gripped at her chest, no open wounds of which to speak as the gleaming, burning light from the touch faded.

“What- what did you do?” she barely wheezed. Her chest burned within like something had been left in her.

“Redemption, dear Vivian, is an agonisingly slow process, normally, but within my company, and that of my sin eaters, you will turn more quickly,” the man explained with a ferocious grin that plastered his several chins together against his chest and spread his overfull cheeks into a bizarre mockery of a hume’s face, “Oh, it will be gruesome and painful, but when it is done, you will have atoned for your grievous sin… this… atrocity that you have committed against me. Then, you will ascend.”

The Seed of Light, as it was called, was a slow and torturous way to die, body and soul. Those afflicted were doomed to spend days, weeks, even months, sometimes, in horrible agony as their skin began to petrify and their minds slipped away. It was so similar to that day that she had met an eater bearing what felt like a fragment of herself. She had died, then, too, infected with the Light, only saved by her wife’s grief and rage, destroying both Holly and her killer and fusing them back together in a maelstrom of tormented magicks. She had no such saving grace, this time.

“Holly,” Vauthry cooed. She looks up, only to see him, hands resting on his gargantuan gut, a smug look of satisfaction on his face.

“Yes? If you wish to thank me for this chance, you may,” he said, then chuckled, wobbling about as he did.

“-Holly.”

Before she could retort, she heard her name called again. Looking out of the corner of her eye toward where she thought she’d heard it, she spied a brief glimmer.

“Mum!”

“Mum…!” “Hali. Mes etoiles. Come home safe,” Dahlia cooed softly as Light began encroaching upon her vision. Two young half-drahn girls stood with her, one on either side: their twins, Suisei and Ryuusei. When she looked straight at them, they vanished.

Vauthry laughed, “Yes. She’s gone. Over the edge to oblivion, if she’s lucky. Go. See for yourself... while you can.” The smug look made her want to drive a kunai right between his eyes, but she barely lacked the strength to stand.

She glanced back once more. The images were gone, likely a hallucination from the searing pain blossoming in her chest. However, the flame was lit once more. With a groan, she lifted herself to her feet and began to stagger over toward where the girl was thrown. Slowly, she paced toward the edge and leaned against the railing. The girl was gone.

“You see? Consider yourself lucky,” Vauthry said from behind her, still lazing where he was on the great bed-like couch.

One foot made it up onto the railing.

“What are you doing?”

She pulled herself up to kneeling.

“Get down from there.”

She turned. “What are you doing?!”

She looked directly at Vauthy and croaked through the searing pain climbing up her throat from her chest, “Defying you… my Lord.”

“What?!” Vauthry roared in anger, his corpulent arms slamming down on either side of him, causing a surprising amount of rumbling that caused Holly to stumble, “You would cast aside this gift?! My mercy?!”

“Oh... Just... you... watch me,” she rattled, arms outstretched… and plunged backwards off the balcony, eyes closing…

Taking a breath as the rocks grew closer, she held it, squeezing her eyes shut as she felt the presence of the ground draw near. Was it too late? Would she turn anyway? Would she come back at all this time?

No, she thought, No time for questions.

Her final thoughts had her body dashed against the rocky beach below, a gruesome cacophony of crunching and splattering heralding her end. Then, moments later, in wisps of darkness like smoke, all that she was coalesced into a barely-visible ball of writhing darkness that drifted off to sea… and down into it.

Within time, her soul found what it sought: the girl, half-drowned already, her body beaten and bruised as if from a bad impact from the water, and her leg twisted and maimed. She would die within minutes just from the lack of air.

There were no thoughts that passed through her disembodied soul. She had no time to deliberate in that strange liminal space in which she existed. A moment of thought could be hours that the girl could drift if she was unlucky. Within the space of a moment, the soul met the body of the younger drahn… and flesh began to twist. Slowly, painfully, it reorganised itself. Slowly and painfully, the leg mended wrong. Slowly and painfully, lungs filled with water began to function in a new way, for which she had to thank the Kojin of the Blue and her history in Blitzball back in their old home, wherever - or whenever - that was.

Pain shocked her awake as she drifted. Reforming a leg so had left it still mostly shattered and even more deformed. She swam as she could for the surface, but with the strength that she had expended to get where she was in the first place, she couldn’t keep going. As her arms gave out, unable to be aided by one twisted leg, all went black.

“You,” said a familiar voice, “You ruined my life.”

When she opened her eyes again, all around her was yet another familiarity: a manor room, massive and sprawling in every direction. Behind her was a long carpet, two bodies lying on it, spaced out a ways behind her, one crystalline and the other a mangled form of burning, gleaming light that barely looked human. More littered the carpet much further back, but they were shrouded in a strange shadow.

“Are you listening to me?” came the voice - her voice.

She turned forward and peered down at herself. This version of her was slightly shorter, hair tied in a chignon, makeup running, glasses broken, and a simple, but almost gaudily-ornate sundress, splattered with stains of alcohol and fruit juice. Her horns were adorned at the base with golden earrings, set in the centre with black pearls with an amethyst and ruby dangling from the hoop of each. Beneath her were two legs, on which she could only stand on one, the other mangled and twisted.

“You ruined my life,” the smaller Hali repeated.

“I… I’m sorry,” she replied, looking visibly confused.

“I’d waited to get in for so long,” the younger said, and, as realisation dawned, she found herself looking at a different figure altogether: the black-scaled girl, “Why? Why did you kill him?”

Hali found herself unable to respond.

“I didn’t need saving. I… I could’ve made it.”

Hali nodded in concession, sighing and looking away, “I… suppose I should understand that.” “Then why, damn you? How could you do such a thing? Even if he was cruel to me in that moment, you didn’t know him! He was a person, just like you or I were!”

She didn’t have a chance to respond before the girl cried out, accusingly, “Revenge! Is that all you cared about then? Was I just… just some bystander for you to toss aside?”

“No, I-”

“Am I just some body for you to claim?”

“N-no! Listen-”

“What gives you the right?” the girl spat, gritting her teeth and taking a step forward on that maimed leg as if nothing was wrong with it at all.

“I’ve-”

“Got a family. You’ve your… your wife, your children. I see that, now. You do it because you can, because you’re some… bloody pompous immortal creature. How are you any different than the people up there? Better than people like me because you have what I wanted! What I could have had!”

“No, you don’t-”

“No, I get it. Deny it all you like. I see you now, Hali Naras,” the girl seethed, “That was your name right? Your original name. Not any of those fake ones you spout.”

“How do you-?!”

“Know? You made me part of you,” the girl said through clenched teeth, though her lips quivered, betraying the tears that would start soon.

“Not your soul!” Hali protested.

“No, but mine isn’t gone yet… Not yet... “ the girl relented, taking a step back, then asked again, “What… gives you… the right? I didn’t want this…”

“Nothing,” came Hali’s voice again, though it came from beside her.

She turned and saw a most horrifying sight: the remains of her last body, seething with darkness, nought more than splatter and gore with clothes loosely fitted around it, though it soon began to congeal into a single creature. That creature, however, was decidedly not her, but the elven bandit whose body she last stole.

“You have no right,” the man said in Hali’s voice, “Don’t deny your guilt. You’ve gotten too good at forgetting, Hali Naras.”

“Too good. Too good for us, too good for anyone,” the younger girl continued, “What happens to your family? Will you be too good for them, too?” “No!” Hali spat in anger, now, “How dare you!” “How dare I?” the girl said in shock, “How dare you! Thief of flesh, murderer!”

“Murderer!” the elven man echoed.

The guilt was overwhelming and the darkness in the room grew thicker. She sank to her knees and looked up. For the first time, she saw what was behind the girl: a door. A great door that once stood chained before her. She had broken those chains long ago, but still, she had no way of opening it.

“Murderer! Monster!” the two chanted, their voice beginning to echo with the phantom of others’ from long, long ago that she didn’t even recognise.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I… what choice did I have?”

“Let go, Hali Naras,” the bandit said softly.

“N-no… no, I- why damn myself when…?” she practically wept in grief over the guilt weighing on her, crawling across her back and threatening to crush her wholly.

“Why damn us?”

“I- I didn’t want to! I didn’t! I- y- you were- the things you did! A-and you would’ve died in any event!” she protested in tears, pointing at each of the two.

“That does not make us yours,” the girl said.

“No… It… it doesn’t…,” she conceded, “It doesn’t…”

There was a long pause where the two left her to weep, her sins weighing on her as she was lost to reflection, before the girl spoke again, “I cannot stop you.”

“Just as I could not,” the bandit added.

“So what will you do?”

“What?”

Hali knelt on that carpet in silence, darkness closing in as she muttered, shaking her head, “I don’t know…”

“Your selfish fear and desire for vengeance nearly drowned you once,” the bandit spoke, “Look around you.”

Raising her head, the drahn peered about, watching as the room was slowly being devoured by writhing black darkness, as if smoke filled with hues of crimson and violet had begun to choke out all in sight.

“You would return to your family. We no longer can,” the elven man said, shaking his head.

“Remember us, Hali Naras,” the girl said, “Remember that we lived.”

Every life is sacred, she had been taught by Kaori long ago, Even if you can’t comprehend them, you must respect them. From her knees, she fell prostrate, forehead touching the blood-stained carpet as she wept, “Forgive me…”

“Forgive yourself,” the two said in unison before, though she couldn’t see, she knew, they crumbled to black ash, leaving two more bodies behind her, “Learn...”

Slowly, she rose, a hand over her face.

No more, she thought to herself in that encroaching darkness, No more. Their names… their faces… I can’t let them be lost. Not like they were. No matter who they were. They died so I could live. No more.

The guilt weighed heavy on her as she stood straight again, saying aloud, “I won’t be a monster to protect those I love. I’ll live to protect them. I’ll live to honour those who I took away that I could live.”

With a shuddering crack from before her, a flood of darkness came pouring out of the great manor doors as they came slowly swinging open, the doors themselves just barely brushing past Hali. The wave of darkness washed over her, but beyond, she saw that flame once more. Crimson and violet in the black, burning bright, were four figures: Dahlia, Vivian, Suisei, and Ryuusei - her flames, her life.

She reached for them, staggered forward against the flood of darkness that threatened to devour her for her avarice, her hubris, and all faded to blinding white.

“Hali, mes etoiles,” echoes Dahlia’s voice in the recesses of her mind, “Come home safe.” Then, white melted away and left only the cold blackness of oblivion.

The door is open, but, this time, I have to earn this chance.

[jeaanmoreau]

Hello! ☀❤ For the Halloween celebration, maybe Robb/Margaery + 🎃. Kisses 💋

Uhm, lemme see, maybe something North&South or Pride&Prejudice inspired? I just really want some historical aristocracy fic, with marriage proposals and balls

honestly it’s been 84 years BUT I wrote the thing! better late than never??? love me xxx

“There she is.”

Theon stepped up next to him to survey the ballroom, eyes landing on the woman that had captured Robb’s whole attention the moment their eyes had crossed across a crowded room a fortnight ago. Now she was here, elegantly dressed and laughing at something his sister was saying.

Margaery Tyrell had become fast friends with Sansa; then again, she was sure to become fast friends with just about anybody she was introduced to, it seemed.

Robb was enamoured.

“And you say you have been made her acquaintance?” Theon leaned in to ask him, though Robb knew he was just humouring him. His best friend cared little for matters of the heart when he preferred to find his entertainment varied and as subtle as a boulder being dropped in a pond. “So, go ask her for a dance. They’re gearing up for another one soon.”

“She’s already engaged for the next three,” he muttered in response, casting his eyes away when Miss Tyrell looked over towards him, that sly smile of hers briefly gracing her lips before he tried to pretend he hadn’t been staring. “I believe she’s the most courted woman in the South.”

A laugh came from his friend, who turned to clap a hand on his shoulder. “Stark, why are you blushing like a maiden? You’re a catch, my friend. Go get the girl before it’s too late.”

And the fact of the matter was, Robb had never been one to shy away from interactions with the opposite sex. He had his fair share of suitors himself, and could hold a woman’s interest if he so wished. But there was something about this particular woman that rendered him quite speechless.

Still, Theon was right. “Will you join me, then?” he asked him, not waiting for a response as he made his way around the room, shaking hands here or there, bowing his head as he passed other members of the gentry towards the ladies.

“Mr. Stark,” Margaery Tyrell greeted him when they approached, turning to face them with all the grace of an accomplished lady. “Your sister and I were just speaking of you and how little you seem to dance.”

The opening had been placed upon his hands as easy as anything, and Robb marvelled at the opportunity to smile at her. “You’re quite mistaken, I rather enjoy dancing. As do you, I imagine; I’ve heard there’s a queue for your hand?”

The laughter that left her was tinkling, accompanied by bright eyes and a gentle hand on his elbow. Theon and Sansa had disappeared as far as he was concerned, focused as he was on the woman before him.

“It seems you’ve been asking about me, too.” The sly smile was back.

It should’ve made him blush, but Robb managed to keep his countenance. “Indeed. I’d be honoured if you’d grant me a turn.”

“Nothing would please me more,” Margaery replied, easily shifting her eyes towards their friends. “Mr. Greyjoy, perhaps you could accompany my dear friend Sansa as well. It would be a joyous occasion to dance all together.”

A twinkle in Theon’s eye matched one in Sansa’s as he bowed his head at his sister with a nod, holding out his hand. “Please, Miss Stark, if I may?”

“Certainly,” Sansa replied with a mirroring smile, taking the offered hand and allowing herself to be led away towards the centre of the room where other couples were getting ready for the next dance.

Which meant... “I’m afraid I’ve promised this dance to Mr. Baratheon, Mr. Stark,” Miss Tyrell told him, attention fully focused on him once more. “But I look forward to ours. Do strive to keep yourself entertained in the meanwhile.”

With a curtsy, she was off to stand in front of Renly Baratheon as the violins took up, and Robb was left with a ghost of a smile on his face. As if he wouldn’t keep himself entertained, hanging onto her every movement while he waited. Tempting as it was, to watch the way her skirts flowed behind her, the way her artfully styled hair was ever so slightly altered with the exertion, and her laugh bounced along the walls of the room as she conversed with her companion.

It was only a while later that Robb realised he had done precisely this, stood there with a glass of wine in hand watching Margaery Tyrell dance, and he gathered himself. It wouldn’t do any good to pine from afar – not even if he could’ve sworn she had looked over a few times, only to smile further.

Dances came and dances went, and Robb managed to put her out of his mind somewhat successfully while he danced with Myrcella Baratheon and another with his own sister, counting down the minutes until his turn with the most coveted woman of the ball arrived.

And arrive it did. Margaery sought him out in the crowd. “Mr. Stark, I believe it’s our time,” she announced herself at his side. “I’ve made my enquiries and watched you for the last couple and I have high expectations now. You are quite an adept dancer.”

Robb smiled back at her, guiding her towards the centre of the room, the way her hand felt against his sending goosebumps across his skin. “Well, I’ve had many years to practice. Though you excel at the art like nobody else I’ve met.”

“Oh, I do love to dance,” she agreed, with the easiness of somebody who was used to being complimented often, taking her position before him, that ever-present smile still on her lips. “But the enjoyment is ever exacerbated with an engaging partner.”

This woman would be the death of him. “Is that what I am?” Robb asked her regardless, curiosity and excitement burning behind his own eyes as they began the dance, stepping closer with their forearms touching on one side, then the other.

“I can’t fathom anyone has any complaints about you.”

“And you? Do you have any complaints about me?”

Margaery’s eyes twinkled again as they fell into step side by side; he couldn’t keep facing forward, but turned his face towards her as she responded, “Perhaps one.”

All the more interested, Robb’s eyebrows rose on his forehead, enjoying the playful nature of her being. “And what would that be, may I ask?”

“You may. But whether or not I choose to answer is another matter entirely,” she replied, a hint of teasing behind her voice.

“Are you always this elusive?”

They parted to move in a roundel, around each other, once and again, pausing their conversation to go with the flow of the dance, but Margaery never stopped smiling. A pleasant countenance that made him never want to look away.

Instead of responding to his question, Margaery said, “Your family is delightful. Your sister Sansa in particular, I’ve never met a girl so charming.”

They spoke about his family, then. It was Sansa’s coming out season, and she had received every attention that an eligible lady was expected to receive on the occasion. She thrived in King’s Landing, and hated the North. Robb spoke of their estate, Winterfell, answering every question Margaery had about it, and its fabled grandeur, before telling him about Highgarden.

“It’s the spring I would miss most if I went North,” she declared passionately. “The flowers, in every shade imaginable. The vibrant greenery everywhere. It’s wonderful. You should come visit sometime, Mr. Stark. I dare say you would find it delightful as well.”

She was delightful, Robb thought to himself. “If you would have me, I would be hard pressed to decline such a generous offer.”

The music came to a stop as the dance ended, facing each other once more, and Robb bowed his head for her as she curtsied, and they smiled at each other for a moment, unwilling to part.

“Thank you for the honour, Miss Tyrell,” he offered after a moment, not knowing what else to say, very much wishing to continue their conversation but not wanting to seem improper.

Margaery walked closer to him. “And you, sir.” Without taking her eyes off him, she added, “If I were to pick out a flaw of yours, Mr. Stark. It would be that you can be quite oblivious.”

Robb stared at her as she curtsied once more with that smile of hers that seemed to hold the world’s secrets, and walked away.

Oblivious.

A smile crept onto his face. Perhaps. But cowardly he was not. And Robb Stark had just set his mind on making Margaery Tyrell his wife.

[tozierpunks]

OMG OLEASE DO A PART 2 OF THE ROOMATE REDDIE IM DYING ITS SO GOOOOOD

Me @ me: You’re gonna drop the ball, don’t do it.Me @ this ask: I’m here to drop balls and eat spaghetti. And I’m all out of spaghetti.Part [1] Here!

From outside the apartment, Eddie could hear the bass of Richie’s speakers. Rolling his eyes, he tucked the mail into his bag and fumbled with his keys. A wave of warm air hit his face, carrying the scent of onions. In the kitchen, Richie held two meat mallets, smashing a poor chicken breast to the beat of Rock Me Amadeus. He danced around the narrow island counter, bobbing his head to the tune.

Eddie set the mail on the coffee table, hanging his messenger bag with the coats. The song faded into the next, and one of Eddie’s favorites began playing. Richie typically kept it on their shared 80′s playlist when he knew Eddie would be home. Glancing at Richie, he couldn’t help but laugh, watching him pretend to play a keyboard. He held the mallet to his face, dramatically singing.

Regardless of whether or not he would play along, Richie pantomimed swinging a lasso, throwing it around Eddie. He playfully tugged the imaginary rope, and Eddie couldn’t fight the smile. Hopping closer, he started mouthing the words with his roommate.

Using the term “roommate” felt strange, as accurate as it was. They’d grown up together; Eddie couldn’t remember a day without Richie. He’d known him as long as he’d known Bill, and they might as well have been born together. When they left their hometown, all of them electing to attend the University of Maine, the original plan was to rent a house together. It worked for six months, but house renting turned out to be expensive (and Stan was quick to say “I told you so”). Apartments weren’t much cheaper, but splitting the cost helped significantly.

The difficult part came when choosing the living arrangements. One complex didn’t rub Bev the right way. Another complex didn’t allow dogs, so Mike’s adorable Mr. Chips was an immediate disqualification. Nearly every complex failed to meet their room needs. So the breaking of the group came. They agreed on a complex, and drew straws. Or, well... the lads did. Bev chose to move in with girls from her class: Kay McCall and Audra Phillips. Ben, Bill, Stan and Mike shared a three bedroom across the hall from the girls. This left Richie and Eddie, and they were fortunate enough to snag a two bedroom in the building across the parking lot.

So for the past year and a half, Eddie lived with his lifelong best friend. A majority of the time, it was easy.

Then there were times like last month. Technically, one time. Eddie was trapped in Richie’s closet, Richie masturbated, and Eddie put the situation to bed without even thinking of touching it again.

Phil Collins’ “You Can’t Hurry Love” started playing, and Eddie snapped out of his thoughts, laughing upon realizing Richie was doing the Carlton dance.

“Richard, don’t!” he cackled, shaking his head. Richie pouted, grabbing his phone.

“What? You don’t like the song?” And without waiting for an answer, he skipped to the next. Tears For Fears. Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Possibly Eddie’s favorite song in the whole world. “C’mon, I know you love this one, Eds. Dance with me, why don’t ya?” One hand on his stomach, the other up in the air, holding an invisible partners’ hand, he two stepped his way closer.

“What have I told you about calling me Eds?” Eddie asked tiredly, although the small smile on his face suggested he wasn’t tired at all.

“It turns you on, right?”“Richard.”“Alright, alright, I’m sorry. You’re not too mad to dance, are you? It’s your favorite! Plus, I’ve been working all day on this chicken- I know you love spicy stuff, so I went out and bought that Cajun seasoning, I sauteed some onions. Eddie, I went all out on this,” he said. Eddie’s mouth twisted, and he peered over Richie’s shoulder to see the state of their kitchen.

Miraculously, the mess appeared to be at a minimum.

“Oh, fine, you got me,” he answered.

“Just not to this song!”“Wha- Richie, I love this song!”“Nope, too slow!”

Changing to the next in queue, he knew exactly what he was doing, because Eddie grinned and bobbed his head. Love Shack was a timeless classic, and arguably Richie’s favorite song from the 80′s. Incredible, considering Queen released the albums they did then. Of course, everyone’s favorite song was Bohemian Rhapsody; that went without saying, the rest of the music in the world was simply competing for second place.

The pair danced, not stopping until the timer buzzed almost a dozen songs later.

As Richie took out the chicken and checked it, Eddie looked through their mail. Usually it was only credit card offers which neither of them took; they already had one each, a financial move Ben advised them to make for credit building. Richie didn’t pay much attention as Eddie opened and trashed the letters.

“What’s the occasion, Rich?” he asked, pausing only to look at how Richie carefully plated the food.

“You really don’t know?”“I asked, didn’t I?”

Richie hesitated. If Eddie didn’t remember, he didn’t want to say. He continued to throw out the junk mail, and Richie racked his brains for a lie. Of course, before he could even attempt, Eddie froze.

In his hands - the last letter of the bunch - was a bright pink envelope, the size of a greeting card. Wordlessly, he opened it, pulling out the card and reading it. He got one yearly since he’d started school. Since he left Sonia. Richie waited for him to speak; he didn’t want to break the silence if it was what Eddie needed.

“That’s right,” he finally sighed. “Dad died today.”

Eddie didn’t think much of Frank Kaspbrak. His passing came when Eddie was a baby, but it affected the rest of his life. Sonia was a wreck without her husband. Richie knew how guilty Eddie felt cutting off contact. She wasn’t necessarily a bad mother; she liked his friends and always welcomed them in as they grew up. She accepted Eddie’s sexuality, and barked off anyone at their church who tried to say otherwise.

But Eddie’s worst - and unfortunately, most vivid - memories were of her sobbing in her room. She drank from time to time, scaring Eddie to death when she would drive to get more alcohol. Richie remembered times where he would steal booze from his parents to bring to Eddie, just so he wouldn’t panic over Sonia. Leaving her without a word on the hardest day of the year for her...

Richie thought a nice dinner might keep his mind occupied. He bought Love Simon on their Amazon account, and as a backup, he even bought Mean Girls. Eddie once said he didn’t care for the movie, but if he needed a pick-me-up, all he had to do was watch Lizzy Caplan shout, “Your mom’s chest hair!” and he would erupt in uncontrollable giggles.

“Aw Eds- Eddie, don’t cry,” Richie said softly, forgetting the dinner and approaching Eddie with his arms outstretched. “You’ve got your reasons for not calling. She’s an adult, and so are you, man.”

Eddie’s body trembled as he tried to hold back the tears. Yes, he was hurt over his mother. Yes, he wished he knew Frank enough to truly be sad over his death.

But no, that wasn’t why he cried.

Richie made a dinner for him. For an emotional day he didn’t even remember, but Richie did.

Pulling away, he wiped his eyes. Eddie cleared his throat, looking up at Richie. For a split second, Eddie thought he could kiss him. His heart skipped a beat and he almost felt himself leaning in closer.

But he didn’t.

“I’m fine, Rich, I just- it all hit me, you know?” he said, sniffling. Richie stared at him, uncertain. “I promise I’m okay- honestly, the smell of the chicken is making me hungry.” He laughed, and it sounded genuine. Richie seemed to believe it, handing his plate over.

“Well eat up, Eds. I have a whole night planned!” he exclaimed, turning on the TV. Eddie sat beside him, a tiny smile on his face.

He really was in love with his best friend, and Richie had no clue.

[chromemuffin]

Quan Zhi Gao Shou / The King’s Avatar Manhua (Chapters 0-5)

What I really enjoyed right from the start of the animation was the realistic nature of the game and characters. I only play games sporadically myself, and usually handhelds at that, but even I could relate to Ye Xiu’s journey to the top of the new server. I mean, usually you just take for granted that the main character is aiming for the top of something, but it’s difficult to relate to saving the world or leading a gang of misfits across the land fighting monsters. Climbing to the top in a game, however? We’ve probably all tried it in some way or another, even if we failed along the way (I still haven’t completed the National Pokedex in any Pokemon game, ok).

This also could have been stated at the beginning of a review for the whole series, but this is a long one, the novel translations aren’t even complete yet. So it’s here now as a preface.

And now it’s time for my far less composed liveblogging! This is not going to be as detailed as my Shoukoku no Altair one by a long shot, I think I’d collapse of exhaustion before I finished.

Chapter 0: Cause

It is both unnerving and relaxing to not obsess about language nuance like I do when I read Japanese stuff. On the other hand, it feels weird being back to the state of not understanding more than a few words here and there...

Colored panels are the best. The color (cold tones) to black & white to color (warm tones) back to black & white is a neat contrast.

I’m honestly really excited to get all these names and teams straight. I watched several groups’ subs for the early episodes and all the names were translated differently, leading me to have no clue who anyone was or which team they belonged to except the currently teamless Ye Xiu lol.

Chapter 1: As we drink, the lute signals to go to war

Look at that smug smirk. Ye Xiu’s relationship with Su Mucheng is just really nice with how supportive they are of each other.

Damn it, I said I wasn’t going to go panel-by-panel! But I like the contrast between these two shots. One is as he is turning away, after having reassured Su Mucheng that he will be returning and it really is fine that his old team literally kicked him to the curb. The other is once he is turned away. He seems fine in the first shot, sort of indifferent, while the dark shadow over his eyes in the next panel suggests differently. But he’s not one to complain.

Unexpected comedy shot lol. I appreciate the life in the internet cafe, everyone excited about Glory and the new server haha. In the animation, it was very quiet when he walked in, and they had to 3D animate it.

“As a female Launcher player, Mucheng never stopped smiling even when she blew up her opponent to pieces... It’s actually quite scary when you think about it.”

haha. He’s more expressive in the manhua. It lets you have these cute little musings in between scenes that the animations never have time for.

lol he just goes and hijacks her account. who does that. “the battle started already so I finished it for you. but don’t worry, I won!” that. isn’t the point.

Hi scary demon Ye Xiu! Side note: they’re doing a good job giving the background characters different features.

Also, thanks to not looking at the characters for their names, I keep getting Ye Xiu and Ye Qiu mixed up. I...really need to go find out how it’s written.

Not going to feature all of Chen Guo’s fun expressions, but so far there have been a lot of them and they’re great. (edit for Chen Guo’s name which I derped on and forgot at the time of writing this post. lol the manga doesn’t mention her whole name - Chen Guo - until a few chapters later. I think the other patrons call her ‘Sister Chen’ and the reader finds out her given name when Ye Xiu does. but in the novel, I think the narrative switches over to her at some point, so you find out her full name before Ye Xiu does...)

I love sayings, and how they are so weird when translated literally - Japanese ones are like this, too, because a lot of them are Chinese in origin. My favorite is probably 亀毛兎角.

I hope this is a translation thing because damn, what a way to sugar-coat the truth.

Chapter 2: Since ancient times, how many have returned from war?

I wish I knew the references to classical Chinese poetry/literature, it makes the series 10x more fun when you know the origin of some of their usernames and such.

Ok, overdoing it much, Sun Xiang’s posse? You don’t need to be extra nasty about it to his face.

I always really liked this expression of his reluctance, this human emotion from a guy who looks rather calm and composed (or sheepish, occasionally) most of the time. He takes things in stride, but here you definitely get the bitterness of his situation.

And now he has to laugh it off with a smile! He does a good job of keeping it together throughout this whole deal though.

lol what kind of expression is that. “I like working nights!” why the cat face/ears. why. that was such a quick interview lol.

“Actually, we aren’t lacking people, the advert you saw was from a long time ago.”

That’s...actually, interesting. So Chen Guo is hiring him anyways? Or am I missing something in the translation?

You are a surprisingly funny man, Ye Xiu.

This is me. (it says ‘Verify faster!’)

lol Ye Xiu looking at the beginner’s guide. I never read the instructions though, even for a complicated games I’m new to, I just sort of jump in and hope I don’t die in the first few stages. Pretty sure the only game I had to actually read the instructions for was Final Fantasy Type-0? It’s difficult getting into a good rhythm without reading the in-game tips for that game...plus, some of the more advanced techniques are hard to pull off.

Chapter 3: Don’t laugh at those who lie drunk on the battlefield

If I had time, I’d totally make edits, buuut I do not and photoshop is on my other computer. but when did he get those noodles...?

lol and he just outs himself right on the spot.

That is one dark expression, I love it. The retirement thing is definitely a sore spot for him.

“you’re a professional. but also an amateur.” lol must be so weird to be Ye Xiu

“Don’t fake it, actually you’re not even retired. You didn’t get a spot and got kicked out, right?”

Ouch. Hit it where it hurts, why don’t you. Though she isn’t aware of who he actually is yet. He did indeed get kicked out, and it’s probably worse because he did have a spot previously, he was at the top even.

Starting avatar! I love the character designs in this series, across the animation and manhua.

“Suddenly I miss those games that let people pass through each other!”

HOW COULD THEY WITH SO MANY PEOPLE PLAYING. It reminds me of the Sims flailing their arms because you stuck a cabinet in the wrong spot and they can’t get through.

“Such a civilized way to kill monsters, I’m not used to it.”

“This only happens when a new server opens, you’ll definitely wish you can queue again in the future.”

I really like the side comments. I don’t play multiplayer games, but the comments definitely breathe some life into it.

LOL. “How to endure the shame? I was once known as Glory’s textbook level expert and now I have to use a beginner’s guide to do beginner’s quests.” You can feel his soul dying little by little in these panels...

I love how many titles he earned...”Does no commercials”.

And, of course, him trying to reveal who he actually is, only for her not to believe him.

lol this comment: “It’s so hard to play in first person view!” That’s actually how I feel, I dunno, I mostly play handhelds and older games. I flipped out when I tried to play Final Fantasy: Dirge of Cerberus in first person, before I figured out there was actually a third person view...I’m just really lame when it comes to games, ok.

Ooh, it’s here! The umbrella! What an odd choice of weapon, usually they’re the joke weapons. Well, it’s better than the bus stop sign from Persona 3.

I’ve read spoilers about who this guy standing behind him is, and I am not ready to actually come across that part in the novel.

Side note: I like the avatar’s design better here than in the animation. Wonder if he changes outfit later on...

Chapter 4: Green Forest’s Sleeping Moon

“Let me help you, I’ll give you the drops as well.” “I’m [a] male.” Lol. I really do love these little dialogues.

I also love the usernames, I really am hopeless with it comes to naming things myself.

Hello, Sleeping Moon! I remember you! Sort of.

I love how Ye Xiu totally has a plan going into this, and his thought process is written out. It’s a mundane detail, but I like it. (I’m the type of person who doesn’t read the instructions provided by the game, but will go look everything up online because regardless if I played the game before or not, I like having a Plan when I go into it...I’m impatient, Shadow of the Colossus is the only game I actually take time to explore.)

The two modes of communication for Glory also make it interesting...Both text and audio. It’s fun having both.

haha these drawings have so much life in them

Including these.

Way to look awesome and dramatic with your umbrella in hand.

lol “You planning to advance into a Cleric? Why don’t you just be our caretaker for good?” dying inside, I tell you, dying inside

Knowing the spoilers like I do, THIS ISN’T OKAY. no sad flashback scene so early on. c’mon.

I like how Sleeping Moon keeps talking to him like he’s a newbie, too. It’s pretty funny.

Chapter 5: You reap what you sow

Finally, a chapter title I’m familiar with!

The naaames: Sleeping Moon, Just a Passerby, Not Just Cannon Fodder, Lord Grim, and Fallen Sun

I like ‘Just a Passerby’.

Hey, you even get to say some last words after your HP hits 0 haha.

“Don’t you know that if you die in a dungeon in Glory, you can’t come back?!” lol I’m side-eyeing all the other ‘if you die in the game you die in real life’ stories...

They gave Sleeping Moon some really awesome expressions, gotta say.

“But your acting isn’t at all convincing.” Actually, this is vaguely terrifying.

Also, I appreciate how Ye Xiu is calling him out on this whole plan and how he meant to cheat everyone while Ye Xiu is basically doing the same. haha

I’m not going to screencap it all, but the sequence of the boss slowly killing Sleeping Moon like the cat it is, and Ye Xiu’s reactions, are gold.

The umbrella is also really cool of course.

And here starts the drama on the 10th server! It’s honestly great, and quite true to real life haha. Well, real life can probably be weirder than even fiction...

AAAND that’s finally it! 5 chapters + the 0 chapter done! Oh geez that took forever...Anyway, I love all the little details the manhua can fit in that the animation can’t and I look forward to reading the novel version of these chapters sometime soon.

onward →