#'and to make a Happy story should be got rid of as much as possible'

[peachesofteal]

Simple Math / Part Seventeen

Simple Math masterlist

Ghost/Soap/female reader - AO3 - 4K words Tags: 18+ mdni. nurse!reader. PTSD, references and descriptions of domestic violence , grooming, manipulation, pregnancy. Simon's back story. Trauma. Bun opens up a bit more. Domesticity, feelings of anxiety, self doubt. Simon is a nervous dad. Emotional confessions.

“It’s Beth.” Simon wipes the countertop, chasing little dirty fingerprints with a wet cloth, before fixing a hesitant set of eyes on yours.

“That’s pretty… I like it.” There’s something odd about his expression, something haunted almost, a deep, dark well filled to the brim with rancid, stagnant water. You sense it immediately. “What’s wrong?”

He motions to the chair and slides your mug into your waiting hands. “Sit.”

“Simon?”

“It was my sister in law’s name. My brother’s wife.” Was. Your throat goes dry, muscles tensing.

“Was?” He pulls your fingers into his, cradled in the palm of his hand, thumb rubbing circles into your skin, over and over on a loop. A mechanism of comfort, connection. A thread stitch into the fabric between your heart and his.

“They died, sweetheart. My family… I lost them.” Grief, a shared experience you know now, froths in the pit of your heart. You tremble, he holds you steady, though it should be the other way around.

“What… what happened?” He sighs, dragging your palm to his lips.

“Let’s sit down on the couch.”

He holds you as he talks, diaphragm rumbling against your ear. You’re laid on his chest, unable to see his face, watch his expressions, but for this, you don’t feel the urge to dissect each one.

You’re content against him. Listening. Mourning.

There’s a swath of silence afterwards, and then he clears his throat. “So, I was dead. Dead until I met Johnny, I think. And then everything changed.” Johnny’s words from weeks and weeks ago make more sense, Simon’s actions and reactions rapidly gaining clarity. “When we found you, I saw it, the look in your eyes. It was the same one that used to haunt my mother’s.”

“You saved her.” He burrows his face in your neck and shakes his head.

“I did what I could to piece them back together. Helped get Tommy clean and on his feet, got rid of the old man for good, but the damage… the way she suffered, it was irreversible. The best I could do was be there as much as often as possible.” You comb through his hair, short strands of silk like Penny’s, and hold him close. “I promised myself, when I met Johnny, when we fell in love, I’d do better by my own family. For him, and then by Penny. And now you. Promised I wouldn’t become him.” Your heart clenches, squeezing in on itself. “Violence may have been a part of my job, but it wasn’t a part of me.” His fingers dance along your spine until they reach your chin, tilting you back to meet his gaze. “Do you understand?”

“Yes.” You whisper, leaning into his touch. He doesn’t need to ask for your trust, he already has it.

“Johnny thinks I’ve got a bit of a savior complex now, but I want you to know… that’s not what this is, bunny.”

“I know,” you clear your throat, fighting through the thick of emotion building there, accumulating in heaps, “I know that.”  

“But we do need to talk about him, you know that?” Darkness creeps along the wispy, dream-like cocoon the two of you built on the couch, and you push it away, try to banish it, basking in the comfort of his arms instead.

“I can’t, I… right now it feels like I’m in a dream where nothing hurts and nothing can scare me or hurt me, and I don’t-“

“You’re not in a dream, bunny. That’s your reality. This is real. Nothing can, or will, hurt you, scare you. No one will ever touch you again.”

“I need more time. Please.” Simon sighs, but doesn’t push, and the two of you lay there, together, suspended in comforting silence. For another moment, your world is a dream. A safe, beautiful dream, where happy endings are real, where love stretches on for eternity, unconditional, limitless, unbreakable.

You’re so different now, stark changes shocking to the girl you once knew, the one who doubled back on her routes to and from work, the one that walked everywhere with her hackles up. Little pieces of black rot now turned a blinding white, a brilliant beam seeking to shine on the whole of your life.

It’s a dream.

One you won’t easily surrender.

“I was really young.” It comes during a lapse in conversation, practically a blurt, an interruption pushing heat to your cheeks. Expelled from your mind, your body without choice, cracks appearing in the preservation that you’ve so defiantly clung to. You have to tell them, eventually. You have to break it all apart, let them see. Johnny’s mouth opens, and Simon’s hand darts to his wrist faster than a snake could strike, a clear signal. Don’t speak. “Obviously now, looking back on it, I realize I was groomed, or I guess, easily influenced. He was older, and I graduated early, started college early. I was in my second year when I turned eighteen. My mom,” the lump in your throat nearly chokes you until you swallow it down, “my mom busted her ass for me. I went to college on scholarships and her hard work.” Metal clanks against ceramic, forks settling on the edges of plates. “Anyway, everyone always thought I was a know-it-all and pretty awkward. We weren’t officially like, together right away but it was pretty serious from the day I met him. Eventually… he started to change me. Change my goals. He even manipulated my career path.”

“What did you go to school for?” Simon asks casually, head tilted.

“Bioscience. I wanted to be a doctor, so I thought it would transition well for med school. Thought I could become a surgeon.” You were a girl then; you know that now. Naïve, misguided by a hand that sought to control you, not love you as you hoped. It’s embarrassing, baring this, showing these broken bits and pieces to them, shattered shards of a mirror never glued back together.

“What happened?”

“He did.” Johnny squeezes your hand. “Made it to pre-med but ended up leaving and starting a nursing program instead. It’s what he wanted, and by then, I couldn’t say no.”

“But ye didnae want it, to be a nurse.”

“No. I didn’t. I love my job now, of course, and I’m happy in it, but originally, I wanted something else. He tricked me, in all honesty. Showed me something that wasn’t real, reeled me in, and then revealed his true colors.” You shudder. “The first time… the first time it happened, I shook it off, forgave him. I-“ the memory is still so strong, it stuns you. The blood from your busted lip is fresh on your tongue, sting on the side of your face turning to a blooming ache.

“Bunny?” Johnny’s grip moves to your elbow, strong, but not too tight. An anchor. You shake your head.

“Sorry.”

“Ye’re alright, ye can stop if-“

“No, I… I want to share these things with you. It feels like I’m supposed to, like you should know me… like this.”

“We already know you, sweetheart. Don’t push yourself.” Simon’s tone is serious, and you nod.

“It’s embarrassing, looking back on it and realizing how bad it was, how bad I let it get. How I let him cut me off from everyone, change my career, squash me like a bug.” You laugh, but it’s empty.

“Ye did nothin’ wrong,” Johnny’s lips press together, muscles in his jaw straining, “was never yer fault.” You don’t answer, just trace the woodgrain of the table, texture moving beneath your fingers. The conversation is draining you, leeching light away like a horizon swallowing the last of the sun.

“He’s rich. Like, fuck you money rich. Rich like make problems go away rich, and his job…” your head shakes again. It’s the most you’ve ever said, heavy buried secrets finally dug up, resurrected, the truth trembles through your bones. “He has resources. Has chased me across the globe more than once. My only saving grace is that when he has to work, he has to work, and it’s usually for long chunks of time.”

“I know you’ve said you’re not really sure, but did he ever tell you what his job entails?”

“He’s in the military. Some sort of security work, department of defense, or something. He never really talked about it.” Johnny shifts in his seat, antsy, and you shrug. “He kept that part of his life very, very private. There was even a room in the house that was always locked.” Your head is heavy, lead upon your shoulders, and Johnny tucks his arm around you, pulling you into his chest.

“I know this is hard bun, but ye’re so brave for us. Lettin’ us know ye this way. I’m proud of ye.” He murmurs, lips to your forehead, and you fully relax, wrapping around his middle.

“I’m tired.” You whisper, eyes closing, and he rubs your back.

“Let’s get ye to bed then.”

“Your child is too big for me to carry!” You announce, hand on your hip, little backpack straps looped around your arm. Simon closes the door behind you, chuckling, and Penny plops onto the floor. She goes to a nursery day program now a few days a week, something that was a contentious subject in the house for far too long, opinions and arguments ping ponging over your head until the decision was finally made.

“It’s not safe.”

“Ye cannae keep ‘er locked up here forever, love.”

“Why not?” Simon bounced Penny against his chest, unimpressed look on both their faces, so alike you almost busted out laughing.

“Because she’s a child. She needs to be w’other children, not just us.” Johnny brings his free hand to his lips, squeezing Simon’s wrist. “I know ye’re scared.” Simon’s not the only one who’s scared, you thought. Phillip lurked at the edge of your mind, worry that he might find Penny plagued you, even though they both assured that wasn’t their main concern.

“She’s too little.”

“Simon. We agreed on this,” Johnny gives him a sharp look, “do yer research, find the best one. Ye know this needs to happen, for her. She needs to make friends, learn how to interact with kids her own age. Ye know this.”

“Fine.”

“She cannae be, not m’wee lamb.”

“She is.” You rub your shoulder. “Sheesh.” Penny’s stomach gurgles at your feet, and Simon grimaces.

“There’s a bug goin’ around the kids, teacher told me today.”

“Not surprising. Nurseries are little petri dishes.” You straighten your back, rolling your shoulder, and wince.

“Hurts?” Simon’s thumb digs into the soft spot there, and your lashes flutter.

“Maybe ye need a hot bath,” Johnny suggests, and Simon ushers the two of you up the stairs.

“I’ve got Pen. Go relax.”

“This is nice.” Johnny soaps your back, lavender and vanilla steam swirling around in the bathroom as you lean against him, his chest to your back.

“Aye.” The cloth drags across your chest, teasing your nipples, and you revel in his touch, soaking in every second he gives you, the brush of his cheek against yours, his lips on your neck. “Like havin’ ye all to myself sometimes.” You blink.

“Does it bother you? When we’re not all together?”

“No. Ye have a relationship wit’ me, and wit’ Simon, and we have a relationship all together. No one is the same. I like it.”

“Me too.” You settle again, loose and tender in the bath, soaped hands running up and down your back, kneading your shoulders, releasing the tension coiled in your bones. You groan.

“Feel good then?”

“Yeah.” He presses a hand over your heart with a deep breath, before he takes another.

And then one more.

“What’s wro-“

“I love ye bun. Wholly. Think ‘ve loved ye since the day I opened my eyes to ye leaning over the bed in hospital.” You turn, twisting to face him, and he dabs your nose with his thumb. “I dinnae have any expectations of ye, or yer feelings, but I had to be honest. I had to tell ye.” The confession fights its way forward, begging to be let out, to be freed.

Tell him. Tell him the truth. Tell him you love them, that they’re your light, that they’ve chased the darkness away and replaced it with the sun.

You can’t.

Instead, you rest your forehead against his, syncing your breathing, sharing the moment, holding onto him so tight in case he slips away.

“I can’t say it.” You whisper, and he nods. “But that doesn’t mean… it doesn’t mean it’s not there. I’m just… I don’t know if I’m ready.”

“An’ that’s okay. I’ll wait, I’ll wait for ye as long as ye need.” There’s no pressure, no demands, just Johnny and his arms, his understanding and patience, his love.

You blink back tears and crash your lips to his. “Thank you.”

Your stomach is what wakes you.  

Something it in is burning, tossing bile around, the sensation strong enough your lips curl, and you try to draw a deep breath through your nose.

You wriggle, trying to pull free from where you’re tangled up in Simon and Johnny, carefully and slow, hoping to avoid waking them though you know even in their dreams, they sleep with one eye open.

 Still, you manage to make it to the bathroom before feet are padding across the carpet on your heels.

You sink to your knees in front of the toilet, stomach bubbling, sending the scorching remnants of dinner up your throat.

The door clicks open. “No, get out. I don’t want you to see-“ you gag again, tap turning on at the sink, a cold washcloth folding over your neck.

“Shhh,” Simon murmurs, rubbing your back, “get it all out.”

“Oh god,” another wave swells, and your muscles tense, body expelling bits of bile and not much else.

“That’s the way, good girl.”

“This is gross.” You gasp. “You should go back to bed.”

“I’ve seen way worse than you puking, sweetheart.”

“She alright?” Johnny half yells from the bedroom and you groan. The guilt of him having to maneuver himself out of bed, still not one hundred percent healthy, still not back to full strength, draws a shiver from your spine.

“I’m fine, don’t come in here!” Your stomach pitches, fingers tightening against your thighs, but nothing comes up, again and again, until everything settles and you’re breathing deeply, steady, back straight.

“Let’s get you some water.” There’s no point in arguing with him. He’s going to do what he wants to do when it comes to taking care of you, you know that now. It’s painfully clear as he tries to help you drink from the glass, and then puts toothpaste on your toothbrush.

“I’m fine.” You assure weakly, but he only watches you, concerned.

“Think it’s the nursery bug?”

“Probably.” You sag, energy drained completely, and he steadies you, cupping your cheek. His touch is cool, and you lean into it, savoring the reprieve it brings against your throbbing temples.

“Want to go back to bed?”

“What if I throw up again?” He presses a kiss to your forehead.

“I’ll jus’ clean it up.”

“Can I ask you a question?” You glance up at the timid mouse of a nurse, brand new, fingers clutched around a tablet like she’s drowning and it’s her life vest.

“What’s up?”

“Can you… can you look at these orders for me?” She looks terrified, and it tells you everything you need to know. She’s probably caught a mistake.

Baby nurses begin their careers in a delicate position. They’re overwhelmed, fresh off a whirlwind of orientation, overloaded with policy and procedure, and depending on their preceptor, either somewhat prepared or completely lost. Pitting a baby nurse against a provider, even a first-year resident, is like sending a lamb in to confront a lion. The result is usually tears.

She hands you the tablet and you spot it immediately. Incorrect dosage.

“Good catch.” You reassure, coaxing a small smile, and she nods.

“What do I do?”

“We go find the provider and clarify the dosage.” You’re not going to leave it up to her, alone, hang her out to dry and probably get run over by whatever moron ordered it in the first place, who happens to be-

Marshall.

Your eyes couldn’t roll any harder. “The pharmacy is also very on top of seeing errors like this, but it’s good you’ve noticed too, for the patient and yourself. Liability for things like this can be very tricky.” She nods again, trailing behind you, brand new squeaky sneakers echoing your own steps.

You can’t stop the sigh that escapes you when you find him, leaned up against a wall, arms crossed, smirking, cocking his head at your companion. “What’s up?”

“Can you take a look at this for me?” You purposefully zoom in on the meds tab, practically painting a bullseye around his error. He scoffs, defensive immediately, dismissive, before he takes a closer look, jaw clenched.

“That’s my mistake.” You blink. Marshall rarely ever takes responsibility so gracefully. Your eyebrow lifts.

“Care to fix it?”

“Of course.” His agreement is punctuated with a smile, though it’s off kilter.

“You can go,” you nod to the nurse, “good job.” Her eyes dart between you and Marshall, and without another word, scampers off.

“She’s new?” His usual interest in new nurses is less enthusiastic than ever.

You hate Marshall. He’s a scumbag. But he’s also been your coworker since day one, and you can’t help yourself. “What’s up with you?”  

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve never owned up to a mistake that quickly, and you didn’t even make some smart-ass remark. Or berate her. Or give me an attitude.” He winces.

“It’s nothing.” But it doesn’t seem like nothing. It seems like something is wrong, like he’s sad, or depressed, and try as you might, your bleeding heart can’t walk away.

“What’s wrong.” You phrase a statement, a demand, instead of a question, and he blows a frustrated breath.

“It’s… I’m seeing someone.” Your eyes go wide.

“Who?” Please don’t say a nurse, please don’t say a nurse, please-

“Anna. From radiology.”

“Oh my god. The cupcake girl?” Anna was a fan favorite. Not only was she kind, but she was also quick with her reads, and baked cupcakes for the entire floor almost once a month. As far as radiologists go, she was better than most.

“Yeah.”

“Okay…”

“I really like her but… she’s always been aware of my reputation and is trying to take it slow. Too slow.” You could lecture him with a million reasons why she’s in the right, but it doesn’t seem like he’s got the resolve to handle it.

“What do you mean?”

“She’s dragging her feet. Doesn’t want to hang out more than once a week, rarely stays the night. I’ve been to her place a handful of times, but that’s it.”

“How long has it been?”

“Two months.” You laugh.

“That’s it?”

“It’s a long time for me!” You hold your hands up in surrender.

“Okay, okay, but seriously. Two months is no time at all. Have you discussed the… reluctance with her?” He seems uneasy, and for the first time, you’re not sure if you enjoy watching him squirm.

“Yeah. She says she’s happy, but isn’t trying to jump into anything,” his air quotes carry a whiff of the condescending asshole you know too well. This conversation couldn’t be timelier, and you think back to what you told Johnny the other night.

“Just because she’s taking it slow doesn’t mean her feelings for you aren’t there. You have to respect that. If she’s still putting up with you after two months, I’d bet she’s just being cautious. Getting hurt sucks.” He nods thoughtfully. “Give her the time she’s asking for, and don’t give up.”

Don’t give up.

The sentiment twists a knife lodged deep in your heart. Is that what will happen to you? Will they give up? Get tired of waiting for you to spill all your secrets, get tired of waiting for you to take the final step? To tell them you love them?

Get tired of waiting for you to let them use your real name?

“I didn’t expect her, didn’t expect to feel this way.” The mask comes down, revealing a hopelessly lovesick heart, the depth of it shining in his eyes.

“I don’t think anyone ever does expect it. That’s the surprising thing about love, I guess.” You sway, a palm pressed to the wall as your hand flattens over your stomach.

“You alright?” Marshall’s voice is far away as you breathe through your nose, trying to fend off the nausea tightening your throat.

“Sorry, I’ve been a bit under the weather. Think I’ve got a bug or something.” Your stomach roils in warning, and you barely grit out an apology before dashing away.

Just in time to toss your breakfast up in the toilet.

“I’m fine.”

“I heard you in the toilet. You didn’t sound fine, and you shouldn’t be working if you’re sick.” Your manager shakes her head like she’s disappointed, and you glare. You both know if you had called this morning talking about a stomach bug, she would have told you to suck it up unless you were actively vomiting.

“Look around. Do you see an excess of nurses on the floor?”

“We’ll manage. Or call someone in.” You shake your head.

“We’re already way past policy ratios.” You bite your tongue when safe nearly slips out, not wanting to piss her off. That’s the union’s job.

“At least go sit down or something. Take a break. Come back in twenty minutes and let me know how you feel.”

Your closet is cozy, and for once during the day, unoccupied. The nausea has subsided, for now, and you shoot a text to the guys, asking about Penny. If you feel like this, you can’t imagine how she feels.

You curl up and imagine you’re home instead, maybe in bed with a sleeve of crackers and some soda, warm chest at your back, a hand stroking over your hip. Maybe you’d have some soup, maybe the three of you would watch a movie after Pen went down for bed. You start to drift in the domestic fantasy, sleeping curling itself like a blanket over your shoulders, until you’re startled by the vibration of your phone, foot kicking forward in a jolt against a shelf.

A box falls to the floor.

HCG strips.

You stare at it for a long time, numbers and dates and weeks mashing together, calculations getting lost in the fray.

You’re not…

No.

Ridiculous. Not even possible. You’re on the pill. Religiously.

You have the nursery bug that Pen brought home. Get a grip.

Still…

You use the fifth-floor bathroom, one of the only single occupant toilets in the whole damn hospital, nausea now coming from a completely different source.

The timer on your phone is incredibly slow, or maybe it’s just time itself, the world turning in slow motion, every second elongated into turbulent silence, too many thoughts, too many feelings, too much of everything to tell where one ends and the other begins.

Fear.

Anxiety.

Panic.

Sadness.

Grief.

It’s grief that is the strongest. Grief for something that Phillip stole, mourning for something that was once so close, so real, and then gone in an instant.

If you close your eyes, you can still feel his boot in your stomach. The press of a steel toe, jammed beneath your ribs, wild, deranged eyes staring down at you in a rage.

But-

Buried so, so far beneath the crushing weight of it all, there is a bright little pocket of sunshine. A small little sliver of light, beams of hope stretching for the sky, warmth spilling over until your hands tremble with the conflict warring inside you.

Nothing has changed, but everything could.

The timer goes off with a shrill chime, and you lean over the sink to where the small strip sits on top of a cup.

A bold pink line.

And then another, more faint, but certainly there. A simple equation, one plus one equals two. Simple math.

Tangible. Present.

Pregnant.

[kohabielnin]

Helo,hello , I really really enjoy your Truth and inference series, and I'm so happy that your request box is open.

/*excited noises

Can I request the whole truth and inference cast reacting to a modern reader?(I really think there should be more idv x modernreader fictions),thank you, thank you.😘

Of course, I love exploring more of the T&I universe so it always excites me to be asked something about

D.M/Désire Mélodis

• When he discovered it, it was as if a million new possibilities had appeared to him,

• If with the knowledge of the time, it was already dangerous, with modern knowledge then...

• Everyone realized that he was treating you better than he treated others, just so he wouldn't lose you to Mr. Inference,

• Tuberose got a little jealous when he realized that D.M was treating you well and Gatto was deeply afraid of that,

• Passing on the knowledge you have to D.M can be one of the most dangerous things to do, you can't predict what this man will do,

• In general, even though he has ulterior motives for you, he seems to treat you well because he wants to, not to get information out of you, he is a real mystery

Noir/Saphir Mélodis

• He found this extremely interesting when he learned,

• Just as he found it interesting, the concern came in threefold,

• He doesn't want D.M to find out for fear of what his brother might do to you,

• Crimson also helps you hide your secret, since according to herself, nothing will stop her from treating you like a little sister,

• Sometimes, out of curiosity, Noir asks what things are like in the modern world and never ceases to be surprised by his answers,

• According to him, he would love to see how everything will turn out, but he knows he won't live long enough for that, so he is content just listening to their stories

Gatto/Aesop Carl

• First he was shocked, then excited, and finally confused,

• What would a person from the future be doing in the past, he thought, but the excitement of learning new things about chemistry was greater,

• He asked, even in a shy way, for you to teach everything you knew about medicine and modern chemistry,

• I can say that I have never seen a Gatto as excited as he was while you explained and demonstrated everything you knew to him,

• Even Cat was fascinated by his knowledge after making a delicious salmon dish that she had never even dreamed of trying before,

• You and Gatto made a promise that this would be your secret and no one else would know

Mr. Inference/Naib Subedar

• He was very excited for several reasons and one of them was that with his knowledge of his time, he would get evidence to put D.M behind bars,

• Lady Truth scolded him for thinking about using you to get rid of D.M, then he apologized to you,

• To make up for what he wanted to do, he bought you a basket of sweets which he shared with White and Lady Truth,

• You taught Mr. Inference everything you knew out of your own free will and he learned much faster than you imagined,

• For him, meeting you was like a blessing from the gods, after all, even if you weren't someone from modern times, you were still a great companion for him and his friends, so he felt grateful for that

White/Saphir Mélodis

• When you felt comfortable telling him, it was his happiest day, even though he already knew,

• Every fraction of a second, this boy asked a different question,

• Even though it was tiring answering so many questions, seeing his surprised and interested look, it was worth all the tiredness,

• Whenever you finish answering his questions, q he will say that I would love to be able to see with my own eyes what you are talking about,

• Even if it feels sad in your chest to hear him say that and know it's a lie, you still smile and say, who knows...

• Of course he notices that you are sad and showers you with affection, after all, for him, seeing your sad face is worse than death

[deiastormborn]

Gale of Waterdeep; A much needed look beneath the surface 

Hey all. This is a script for the video I made in defense of Gale. I never had a place to put the text version of it anywhere else, but... if Tumblr isn't a good place for it, then what is?

Warning: Long Read!

________________________

Hi, my name is Stormborn. I’ve been playing Baldur’s Gate for some time, enjoyed it quite a bit. As much as I can appreciate every companion that the game has introduced, Gale of Waterdeep, a charming lil’ wizard, has caught my attention the most. At glance, he is this sarcastic happy-to-go man, always joking around, trying to do the right thing. But, the more you get to know him, the more you slowly uncover his trauma, as much as he, himself, is trying to deny it.

Honestly, I thought that Gale would be liked by many people, I genuinely expected him to be one of the most chosen companions, and one of the most romanced ones. But, to my surprise, I’ve been seeing him getting more hate than I anticipated. Some people call his way of speaking way too annoying and complicated, some people call him clingy and creepy, mostly due to the glitch that would skyrocket his approval of you, probing him to romance you. Genuinely, it is okay to dislike some companion in favor of the other one. But I could not get rid of the feeling that people just despise his guts unjustifiably. 

One of the main reasons, besides the ones I covered earlier, is that people hate his ‘obsession’ with Mystra, the goddess of magic he happened to romance. I saw people complain that he just cannot stop talking about her, even while you romance him, and I can’t help but wonder if people were paying attention to his story at all. And I cannot blame them, as Gale always portrays his romance with Mystra as something so special, so unique, and as something to be proud of. But, let me explain to why you should be able to judge his story for yourself, rather than simply listen to what he is saying.

Gale is a talented wizard, so talented that he got attention from Mystra herself for his talent of channeling the weave. The story says that he is so powerful, that he could potentially destroy a whole village by basically sneezing in its direction. However, we all need to remember that he got attention from Mystra at the very, very young age. If I am not mistaken, the first time Mystra clawed onto him was when he turned 16. Ever since then, Mystra was feeding him all kinds of praise, prompting him to seek power, ensuring him that he can become Mystra’s chosen, and, mind you, *started romancing him ever since*. It is not a secret that Gale was not the first, however, if you really think of it, such revelation can seriously mess with a mind of a teenager. Not only it might boost the self-esteem, but also make him think that he is better than anyone else. And, I assure you, it is exactly what Mystra wanted. By giving him some form of attention, minimum affection, she had Gale on the hook. And Gale, as a boy obsessed with magic, who has been worshiping Mystra before he even met her, didn’t require much effort in getting hooked. But here comes the problem: as much as it is uplifting to get a praise from a literal Goddess of all magic, it is also as equally devastating to get any kind of critique or a cold shoulder.

Mystra was messing with his mind, making him feel like, no matter how well he does, he can always do better, as he has so much potential. With such authority, Gale would believe her. And it would make him always chase something more to impress her, rather than settle and appreciate what he has. It is also a reason to why the whole mess with the Orb began in the first place. People seem to call Gale power hungry, which, as any companion in the game, it is possible for him to go down that route. But they seem to forget one important detail: Gale thought that the Orb was a missing relic of Mystra’s magic, and he wanted to, yet again, impress her by bringing it back. Please remember that Gale was still a young adult, if not a teenager, when this happened. And it would all be resolved if Mystra would not shatter his self-esteem as much as she did. So, he made a mistake, and the Orb became his burden. And yet again, rather than explain this to her ‘chosen one’, she basically banished him, and left him with no answers for many years to come.

Gale isolated himself to keep people around him safe, with nothing but the books and the cat for the company. I think I do not need to mention on how that can play with your mind, too. But, in spite of all, Gale’s blind loyalty and obsession with Mystra kept him wanting for more attention, more answers, so he kept seeking more power, and more ways to get Mystra’s approval. At the day you first meet him, this is the first time he has been amongst people. Yet he still kept his jolly appearance, messing around with Tav, and appreciating everything that surrounds him.

I do not know if this is obvious just yet, but Mystra has basically groomed the kid. If we look at the very definition of grooming, Grooming is when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or young person so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them. And it is most prominent when it comes from the place of higher authority. I think I do not need to explain that, in the fantasy setting, there is no higher authority than the God or a Goddess. Yet, for one reason or another, this seems to not be taken serious. And I think I have an explanation as to why.

When you talk to Gale about Mystra, or when you let him talk about her first, he is still full of admiration, obsession, and the unending pride. There is still some bitterness lingering somewhere in him, yet it Is not as powerful as any other feeling he has towards her. I’ve noticed people basically hating him for saying something like ‘Yeah, I banged Mystra, that’s pretty cool, right?’. But think of it this way: wouldn’t Mystra *want* him to think that it’s ‘pretty cool’? And who are we to say that it was the real Mystra he had an intimate moment with? For all we know, she might have conjured an illusion, to satisfy him and feed into his ego. If the romance between them was as real as Gale thinks it was, do you really think Mystra would just abandon him with no answers for a mistake such as this? After all, Gale was young, and had barely any experience. All he had was wizards, such as him, or more powerful than him, and her. If she truly cared about putting him to a right path, rather than using him for her needs, the outcome would be ever so different. 

I would also like to address that people do not think of it as a simple coping mechanism. Even if you look at the society these days, most of the time, when a man comes with a confession of, say, a woman taking advantage of him, it is often met with ‘wow dude, you got lucky’, rather than with a serious concern. Who are we to say that Gale, rather than simply try to reflect and recognize his relationship with Mystra as an illusion, didn’t just decide to get along with it and be proud instead? Even then, when you romance him further, he is slowly realizing that it was not as real as he once thought. In Gale’s own words: ‘there is no love between us. I was not the first, and I certainly won’t be the last’. Gale finally, ever so slowly, starts to understand that he was simply used by Mystra for his talent. Being a deity means that you are only powered by the followers you still have. It is in the god’s interests to keep people interested in them, or they will loose power. Using Gale, knowing he was an extremely skillful wizard, was in Mystra’s interests. She does not give him answers, but keeps him interested in her enough to keep him in her claws, spreading more words of her, attracting more people to follow her godhood. There was no real romance, she was interested in his power more than himself. And you can help him realize that.

But, with such dynamic comes a price, which also becomes more prominent when you play the game further: Gale never feels good enough. With the first chance he can sacrifice himself for a greater good, he takes it. He has no real appreciation of his life, he does not take it as something valuable. He is deeply depressed and traumatized. When a person moves away from the environment that scarred them, it can become extremely overbearing, difficult, and overwhelming. People also seem to act as if it is weird that, with any kind of hurt, Gale’s first reaction is to ‘blow himself up’. It doesn’t take much to know that he won’t do it if it were to mean that someone can get hurt, but he is saying that because, maybe, partially, he *wanted* to die. He has finally found appreciation amongst other people, who are not wizards like him, people who do not know him well, and people who do not want him to constantly be the best version of himself. He falls in love with Tav, because Tav is showing him kindness, and proving to him that he does not have to be someone that he is not to be loved. In that very vulnerable state, any kind of hurt or rejection hits you more. Not to mention that, the only time he ever says it, was after the night he spent with you. After he opened up, shared his fears, more of his past, even said out loud that, in truth, he does not want to die. He let himself be vulnerable, the most vulnerable he has probably been in years, so it is not a question of his ego being hurt: it is a situation where a man, who always kept to himself, has finally let someone in, and got hurt. I am sure one of us, at one point in life, said something like ‘well guess I go die’ as a joke. This is the only way Gale knows how to respond: joking about his pain. He does not mean it, but says it anyway, because it is the first thing that came to his mind. He has been a very reserved companion through the whole time, always seemed to know what to say, and he acted on an emotion after a very emotional night. 

It is also a fact that, even while he is slowly realizing that Mystra used him, he does not mind dying because she asked him to do so. That does not only prove a point that Mystra does not have any real regards to him other than a tool, but also that she was using him for her own sake. With The Absolute getting more followers, her power also weakens. The Absolute is a threat, not only because of the infection and danger to mere humans, but also to her godhood. And who better to deal with it than the man she has so methodically conditioned to do as she wishes? You would think that, a goddess as powerful as Mystra, could try to take care of things on her own. And yet again, the only time Mystra ever gives him any answers, is when she needs him to be used. That is, yet again, a definition of the grooming.

Gale will do anything for a little bit of appreciation, anything to be noticed, and we cannot blame him. This is why you, a player, as a Tav, have a power in you to make him realize that he, as he is now, is valid. It is almost as if Gale forgot that he is such a talented wizard after all the stuff with Mystra. You, as a player, have it in you to remind him. And once you do, Gale slowly separated himself from Mystra as her ex-lover, and only answers to her as his deity. After all, she is a goddess of all magic, it will be hard to reject her entirely.

Victims of grooming or any kind of abuse often can’t let go of the person who harmed them. They will talk about them, they will mention them, they might even try to grasp onto good things, or make it seem like bad things that happened weren’t really all that bad. Combine that with a constant feeling of never being good enough, and not knowing a genuine kindness outside of his very small circle, and you have Gale. A charming, sarcastic, jolly Wizard, who is also as ever troubled. 

Moving on to other topic that people seem to judge Gale for, is that, once a chance arrives, he starts grasping onto Godhood, wishing to become a God himself. It is also in that situation where he starts to say that he would have the power to completely overthrow Mystra. People seem to criticize him for his hunger for power, and also, altogether, call him ungrateful. I would like to add another opinion on that: while Gale is slowly realizing that he was being used, he went through all 5 stages of grief. But here comes the other one, that is mentioned much less: revenge. He wants to show Mystra that she was wrong about him. He wants to prove to her that, after all this time, he *was* good, if not better than her. On top of that, he is still trying to fix his never-ending self-esteem issues. While he is seeking godhood, he still thinks that, him, as he is now, will never be enough, and only by becoming God he can truly become worthy… of anything. If you romance him, he later apologizes to you, but also asks to let him explain to why the Godhood would be good for him, and you, as a couple. Gale wants to give you everything. The entire world. He wants to be the very best version of himself, for you, his lover. He thinks that he can only achieve that by becoming a God. He doesn’t realize that, maybe, without it, he can still be a valuable partner. He even talks to you about it, openly, saying that you deserve better. It is, yet again, in your power to remind him that you do not need him to be anything more than he is now. And, rather than with anger, he answers to you with a surprise. He truly, genuinely, can’t believe that you would take him as he is now. This is how deeply his trauma runs in his mind. And, once he finally believes you, this is where he finally calms down. This is finally when he accepts himself, and lets it all go. He is not repaired, but he is on his path towards healing. All because you, a player, convinced him, and reminded him of his value.

I think Gale’s approach towards things have deeply changed the perception of the players. Because he is in so much denial, people seem to just go along with what he says. He is proud of sleeping with Mystra - so people take it for what it is. Gale might not be your type, or even the most interesting companion to you compared to others, but I truly, genuinely think, that the hate he has received has been a little too much. Every companion has a burden, everyone expresses it differently, on their own pace. Gale has chosen the approach that makes the most sense in his situation. He is just a guy who was thrown into a mess made by the Goddess he worshiped at the young age. He is just someone who is trying to do good. And I hope that a small essay such as this helped and shed some light on his story. 

Men can be groomed, they can be taken advantage of. I think it is our duty to also recognize it, and show a little patience. After all, Gale is not the first example of such abuse. And, sadly, won’t be the last.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAnZHJtYkcg

[tfp-enthusiast]

OMGG LOVW YOUR WRITING!! If you're not too busy and this sparks creativity, could I request a TFP reaction with (Knockout, Shockwave, Soundwave and Megatron+ whoever more you'd like!) a cybertronian!reader who recently joined the decepticons (after being in space for so long) and is extremely excited about finally belonging to a cause and kinda follows them around impressed/intrigued by them?

Cons X Child!Bot!Reader

[Thank you! :3]

[ I adjusted it a bit, hope you don't mind, cause I just wanted to make a one shot of a sparkling with the con's.]

[You're not really a Sparkling but rather a young teenager. Your younger than Bee and Smokescreen.]

[Maybe also the bot's too if I find the time/if you want to.]

[I made a small one shot if you could call it that to explain Reader's story]

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When the war had begun you where just a small Sparkling who didn't know what was going on. You Sire/Carrier tried their best to keep you as innocent as possible, they didn't want you to know what happened outside.

But they knew deep down that this won't work forever.

When you learned about the war when your Sire/Carrier had to fight. But because you shouldn't seen your family die/see what happened to your planet and they hoped that there was a way that you can live a mostly normal live. So they decided it would be best to put you in a stasis pod and pray that you will wake up to a better time and place.

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Megatron

When he was told there was a Pod that crashed onto earth without any sings which cause it belonged to he was interested

He soon got called into the medbay, which was normally after opening a stasis pod nothing out of the norm, but what he saw surprised him

A sparkling, well not exactly but you still where very young

Makes him kinda sad for a nano klik before greeting you in a way he did with every bot

Because you where still very young you where under watch every time you left your berth

At first he just shoved you towards Starscream but he tried to use you against Megatron so he decided to watch out for you himself

Most times at least, Soundwave looked after you when Megatron couldn't

He grew fond of you rather quickly

It was nice to have someone he knew wouldn't betray him or give him even more trouble/work

Starscream

You are his child now and you are happy about it

××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××

He heard a stasis pod crashed down on this giant dirt pile and got sent to investigate it

Secretly hoped it's not someone like Airachnid

When he, and five Vehicons, opened the pod they expected everything

Everything except you: a child, an pure and innocent child

He knew he will probably be your babysitter but it didn't bother him as much as most might expect

He still acted annoyed and tried to 'get rid' of you but he secretly cared for you, you where probably the most innocent of all Bots in the universe and he knew he couldn't be mad/annoyed at you cause you don't even knew what is going on

You don't even have a gun for Primus sake!

Congratulations! You have unlocked 'training' with Starscream

He literally only teached you how to fire a gun, which is almost the same as his, and how flying 'is the best choice you can make' and that should always run from danger

Lesson finished?

He just wants to be close to you as much as possible cause of his fear of being abandoned

Shockwave

He will be by your side almost always, he still has stuff to do and doesn't want to get beaten up by Megatron in front of you

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He didn't even realize there was a new bot on board tbh

You where sent to him one day because Megatron wanted to know where you could be useful and Shockwave should look if the stasis damaged you because your way younger than everybot that used the stasis pods

You, being the small child you where, where very interested in Shockwave, cuz he only has one eye instead of a face, and what his projects where about

He only let you see the harmless projects

Even he knew you where too young and innocent to see him experiment on some bot

Soundwave

You actually helped a lot in his lab, you brought equipment and walked trough the ship for him so you could still move enough and he could keep working

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He was the first to know about you actually

The moment he saw you he became your dad and Lazerbeak your sibling

Soundwave teached you almost everything he knows and you even learned to use a groundbridge

He is almost always with you but if you go to recharge or he goes on a mission he deems as too dangerous for you, almost always, he will have Lazerbeak watch you/distract you

You remind him of his cassettes back on cybertron

Predaking

He often uses emoticons for you because it helps you a lot and you like the colors

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Oh god

I'm sure every kid no matter the species loves dragons and dinos

The moment you walked onto the landing deck, because you should learn the layout of the Nemesis while Megatron thought about how you could be useful, and you saw Predaking in his beast mode you lost it and ran towards him

While Predaking didn't even know about what a Sparkling is and then he sees this small being run towards him and start babbeling about how cool and beautiful he is

When he transforms for the first time and you see him on the ship you will be pulled into a bone crushing hug by him

You will be showered in compliments and praises every cycle from now on

And you will be treated like the price/princess you are by him

Knockout

Best bodyguard by the way

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He heard of a stasis pod landing on earth, more like crashing, but he didn't really have time to listen too much

He already knew that if the bot was a Con then they will be sent to him to have a check up

But what he didn't knew was that you where a literal child

You where even younger than Bumblebee which means a lot considering that he is one of the youngest bots in this solar system

He is very careful with you while doing the check up because he actually never had such a young bot before him (well yes but that was eons ago and long forgotten)

He definitely gets a little sad that someone this age goes to war because when he thinks of the time he was your age he remembers how he would race around all day and have a great time

Will, no matter your vehicle mode, race with you around the globe when you have a car then you will be everywhere he goes, if he deems the situation dangerous he will hide you or flee with you, if it's a plane then you will be with him often cruising through deserts with him cheering you on

Breakdown

Of course he will teach you how to buff especially so you can do it together, maybe even buff each other and talk about your day

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Breakdown was probably sent to look who was inside that little stasis pod of yours

He expected a small bot because of the size of the pod but he didn't expect you

The moment he is sure you aren't just small but almost still a Sparkling, he doesn't really care how old you are the age gap is still massive, he goes full on mama bear mode

No matter where you are, you will have him behind you because he knows that some of the crew are just straight up toxic

He loves to carry you! He can carry you with one servo and still move normally

He just tries to get you have a relatively 'normal' childhood because his was way more fun and he wants you to have that too

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Dreadwing

Dreadwing is a very polite Con, as we all know, and when he heard there was a new Bot joining their ranks he decided to introduce himself

He literally didn't see you at first and had a really confused look for a few nanokliks before seeing you

When he finally sees you with your kind smile and holding your servo out for him he has shock written all over his faceplates

He actually asked Megatron himself if he could be your 'guardian'

He himself didn't even exactly know why but he did

He is almost like a brother for you

When he finds out that your Sire/Carrier is most likely already dead he becomes really depressed, as someone who values family over everything he is very empathetic when he learns you don't have one anymore

You often go on little trips outside of the ship together because he wants you to learn about the planet you're currently on and knows it's probably better for you if you get out of the Nemesis

He knows it's not the best place for someone of your age but still tries to make it appealing for you

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Skyquake

When he walks trough the halls of the Nemesis towards the bridge and gets greeted by you, a small and innocent young bot, he is visible confused

He can't even recall the last time he saw someone of your age

You found the way he talks interesting and when you saw him you would try to talk with him and walk by him

He drows fond of you very soon because you where so interested in him

The more time he spends with you the more your dynamic remembers him of his brother, Dreadwing, because he talks to you like his brother always would

He tries to get you to talk about your past live and what happened before you landed here

He tries his best to search for any bot in the Cons databank that could resemble your Sire/Carrier because he wants you to at least know what happened to them, if there dead, alive or just so you can see them in some form again

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Airachnid

She probably found you after she left the Cons once again but before she found the Insecticon hive

At first she thought you could be a possible source of information or at least energon but as soon she sees you she forgets about that

Her mind went from 'Awh scrap, just a Sparkling/young bot' to 'Wait a minute a what?Is this real?' and in the end she just went "You are now mine"

She may be a little cruel but over time she decides that you wont ever be separated from her

You are taken with her on every single trip outside of her little base and there is no discussing about it

She also doesn't think that cutting open another Bot in front of you is such a big thing but she at least makes it a little less bloody and brutal

[starluvsx]

𝘗𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘙𝘢𝘪𝘯ִִ*ੈ༘⋆

Proofread: mostly Wc:6.3k WARNINGS:Cheating,swearing,smut,piv,oral(m!receiving),getting caught in the act,reader is insecure,SH,use of drugs multiple times,Chris being an asshole kinda(guy logic), just sadness, no happy ending;(

Reader ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

my hands shook as i read the text.it had been sent 30 minutes ago but for some reason every time I re-read it it felt like the first."chris cheated on you"was all it said.it was from his own brother,matthew, so i knew this wasn't some type of sick joke.matt actually always had my back.when guys would make fun of me or people would stare he would try and jump in to tell them to stop.we were never friends, far from that.he was just a nice guy.

tears welled up in my salted eye as I began to type out my response to this shocking information. "What?" was all my fingers could pry themselves to type out.such a simple question with an answer that will unravel the past 5 years of my life of my life.matt began typing again almost as soon as I hit send, this time taking a much longer time.my heart sunk even deeper, if that was even possible at this point, and my stomach twisted into knots that no medicine could undo.

After about 2 minutes his message bubble showed up.i felt nothing short of sick to my stomach as i read it.he had gone to a party and cheated on me with some random slut, and was bragging about it?my head felt as if it would fall off my body at any second.i couldn't believe what i was reading, i didn't want to believe it.

the detailed story made my entire body fill with so many emotions.i began to hyperventilate.breathes quickening by the second.i didn't know what to do.a story with so much detail had no choice but to be true.i didn't want to be in my own skin anymore.i shoved the sleeve of my hoodie up and began to scratch at the skin on my arm harshly.the stinging sensation sending strange tingles to my head.old scars on my wrists sensitive, tender, so breakable.

I soon felt the need to break away.i ripped the hoodie off my body in a weird flailing mess.gripping at chunks of my hair and ripping my headphones out of my now red ears.broken sobs lefty my mouth as I attempted to catch my breath.tears pouring out of me like a fountain.how could he do this to me.after everything he told me?and everything we've been through?

anger began to fill my blood.i started to shake my hands violently.needing to get rid of this tent up anger and sadness smoothie somehow.before i knew it my hand was in my wall.blood trickling down my fist once I removed it from the fresh hole.i then realized what I had to do.My feet hurriedly carried me to the front door.I grabbed my keys somewhere along my journey to the car.puting the key in the ignition and starting my car up.the drive there was a blur.i don't even think I should be driving like this.but who cares? I sure didn't

Chris ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

Blood rushed to my face as i took another shot.i began to feel dizzy as this was my fourth one of the night and tilting my head back wasn’t the best for the state i was in.i let the alcohol burn through my throat like fire as i swallowed. I looked down at my phone unsteadily. I couldn’t help but notice a few missed calls from my girlfriend. I thought nothing of it. Y/n is always clingy anyways.

I mean seriously I go out for one night and she's up my ass. I put my phone on dnd so she cant bother me any longer.This was my night.i was going to have fun whatever way i want, without her.that sounds right.perfect actually.

I shot my head up from my phone as one of my good friends came up to me with a call of my name.it was Jack “hey man” i slurred out as i weakly dabbed up the blonde.he was sweaty and out of breath.I internally cringed as his clammy palm grabbed mine.trying my best to wipe my hand without him noticing.

“Yo, I got two men upstairs waiting if you tryna join?” He asked.i knew what he meant by two man.it definitely didn’t mean double date.i contemplated what I should do, not being able to stop harping back to the missed calls from my girlfriend.i knew it was wrong.i was drunk but not dumb.she loved me, i loved her at one point.this was fucked.everything about what i had been doing behind her back these past few months has been fucked.

I soon found my mouth moving faster than my brain. “Which one is mine?”

Reader ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

It felt like I had just teleported here as I stared at chris' front door.I knocked on it with my good hand.A few seconds later I was met with a confused looking matt. "woah what happened to you?" he asked shocked

I ignored his question entirely.he’s a big boy and thinks he can piece together what happened to me. "your parents home?"I asked.knowing that what I was about to do wasnt something his parents should hear.

"uh no they're.out why are you here?"Matt asked confused and weirded out.i never truly noticed how handsome he was.it might just be my blurry vision though.

"Is Chris home or is he with that slut Stacy?"I snipped at the taller boy.

"nah he actually went out for a few hours, to another party or something." I felt defeated as the words left his mouth. my body didn't even have the strength to support the anger running through my veins as I could only imagine what he was doing at this party.

I needed to get high.That was all I knew how to do In times like this.times when the only things that consumed my thoughts were ones that made me feel as if I wanted the earth to swallow me whole. "You got weed?" I sputtered out as I fought back tears.

Matt was clearly taken aback at my suddenness but nonetheless answered "yea.. come in" he moved aside to let me in. I mumbled a small thanks as I walked past him into the house.

Chris ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

I followed Jack upstairs as he began to describe the girl I would get.she was apparently blonde, short and had a fat ass, perfect. You could see how excited I was by simply looking down at my pants. Hopefully this girl will reciprocate.

Through all my excitement it wasn't hard to find guilt.it lingered in the back of my mind while doing these kinds of things. y/n was probably home, watching some stupid rom-com cuddled up in a blanket all cozy, sad and worried I'm not answering but doing her best to ignore it.that's just how she was.an over thinking anxiety mess that liked to hide it to make herself feel better.i would be lying if i said i didn't find that cute.

As Jack opened the door I was met with two girls waiting for us on the bed.i could spot the blonde immediately seeing as the other had dark coily hair, definitely jack's type. I eagerly made my way over to my girl who I hadn't even learned the name of. She was even more gorgeous then I had imagined.her hair was pin straight and her lips were plump, red.she had blue eyes and the hottest body.

I connected our lips before any words could be spoken.our lips moved perfectly as i undressed her.i paid no mind to what Jack and his girl were doing. All I care about is her. All I want is her. Her soft lips made my fingers tingle as I touched her bare skin.feeling like my fingers were on fire as they roughly brushed over every part of her.

She then flipped us over so she was on top of me. As I felt her clothed wetness with my fingers I couldn’t help but remember my girlfriend.she was probably at home right now, wondering where I am and what I’m doing and why I’m not answering, slowly getting more upset by the second.I brushed off the thought as the blonde on top of me took off her panties and began to position herself on top of my face.I was in perfect view of her pussy.everything a guy could dream of. Shaved, pink, tiny, perfect.

Something still felt so wrong.I had cheated on y/n plenty of times, why does now feel different? Before my thoughts could continue I felt my phone buzz in my back pocket.I know this is wrong.I need to leave.then without saying anything I got her off of me and left the room.Jack didn’t seem to say anything but she was throwing confused obscenities at me as I walked out.

Reader ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

My giggles were uncontainable as me and Matt cracked jokes across from each other on our comfortable spot on the floor. The music in the background paired with the purple led lights added an ambience to the room that couldn't be replicated. as the laughs died down the reality of my entire relationship set into my heart. I had been lied to by the one person who saw me for me.the one person to ever treat me right, buy me flowers, take me shopping, buy me food, listen to me talk about random stuff, stay on the phone with me almost every night until I fell asleep, was gone. I don't want this change. it wasn't one I could handle in my heart that had already grown as heavy as tons.

without thinking as soon as the tears began to spring out of my eyes I hugged matt.it was a little awake since we were on the floor after but it didn't matter.we sat there for some time.just holding each other as I cried into his chest.he was just so comfortable to be around, I couldn’t help but melt into him.before I could catch my own body I found my lips on his.I don’t know how it happened but it did.it felt right yet wrong.perfect yet oh so messed up.

We kisses sloppily as we were still high as shit.I slowly climbed on top of Matt which made me break the kiss for a moment.I took the second to stare deep into his hooded eyes.every detail of his face sinking into my eyes.a cheeky smile was plastered on his face and it was in this moment that i realized, he was the one.

I hurriedly kissed him again and began to remove my top as he did the same for himself.toned body all in view.my world felt like it was spinning as I tired to unclasp my bra while giggling.our tongues messily fought through laughs and desire.I felt so light yet so grounded at the same time.as if our bodies were morphing together.

We wasted no time taking all of our clothes off, both of us now completely naked on top of each other on his bedroom floor.

Chris ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

I barely shuffled past the crowd of drunken young adults as I made my way to the door and eventually my car.my eyes darken with anger at myself, hurting the only girl I've ever loved? who the fuck am I?I feel guilt wash over me as I realize how many time I had already done this. The number was truly lost on me as this normally happened when I was blackout drunk but it had to be around 10 now.

I put the keys in the ignition and started the car.my fists feel like they might explode if I didn't hit something now.i restrain myself hesitantly.scared that if I hit something I won't be able to stop. I quickly started driving.i shouldn't be driving in this condition. I'm drunk, tired, guilty and blinded with self directed rage.i couldn't stop my mind from wandering to her. no matter how much I tired to stop, how much I wanted to stop, I couldn't.everything led back to her.every color reminded me of a shirt she had.every song she had sang.every friend was one of hers.she owned every aspect of my mind.

______ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

y/n was far from gorgeous in her own eyes.yes her friends often said she was beautiful and stunning but she never saw it. and even when she did think she looked cute even no man ever did, at least not one that wasn't family.no matter how much makeup she caked onto her face in the mornings, or how many skincare products burned through her childlike skin, she never had received a compliment from another guy.

because of this she never left the house without a full face of makeup on.if anyone dared to rush her through her 12 step makeup routine she would scream and cry till they left her alone.she couldn't be seen without it.she was also always putting herself in clothes that were meant to make her body "look good". Although it only worked occasionally she continued to wear them.short crop tops with her boobs hanging out the top and the tightest leggings known to man.Some would say she was a slut, others could tell she was just hurting.She wanted to be wanted.

this was her life style until she hit junior year of high school.she had gotten so tired of trying to be the most gorgeous girl by mens standards that she simply stopped.she threw away all her makeup and burned her slutty outfits to the ground.replacing them with large baggy jeans, hoodies and random tee shirt.she would barely style her hair anymore and only at special times wore mascara.she was the polar opposite of who she used to be.she didn't even know the girl she was before.

along with this major change in looks came a major change in mind.she now envied her friends even more.seeing them have guys hit on them and ask them out constantly made her livid.sometimes when she would go out with some her friends people would stop and stare.as if she was some sort of museum exhibit "complete ugly loser hanging out with pretty girls" and she was on display like a taxidermied shark.nobody really wondering who she is or what she does to look the way she does, just how the hell did she get here.

this jealousy soon turned into self isolation.she kept herself away from her friends.she was silent whenever she had to be around them in class.no longer being interested in drama or who asked out who that week.music playing in her ears with or without headphones.she no longer participated in conversations.only sitting there and half listening.she had become a shell of the girl she once was.and for some reason she enjoyed it.noboyd noticed her.she could dig a blade as deep into her skin as she wanted to and nobody would give a fuck.her tainted blood could drip down and stain the shirt she wore to school the next day and nobody would say anything.they wouldnt notice

Her friends didn't notice her silence.only thinking it was some strange phase she was going through because well, they were teenagers, things like this would happen.over time the loneliness became too much for her causing her to attempt to migrate back to her previous friend group.fortunately they accepted her back with open arms.

then, one fateful day in a boring science class.the teacher announced that they were switching their seats to lab tables now that they were halfway through the year girls who had sat together all year were understandably sad but nobody’s emotions compared to y/n's.she hadn't felt this nervous in a long time.and it felt disgusting.

her leg bounced up and down seeing as there were only 2 more lab tables left and her name, along with 7 others, hadn't been called. all her friends were already separated so she really had no chance. "ok lab table 5 is gonna be... anita, chris, y/n and Issac." the teacher announced.

her stomach dropped at the names.not one but two boys at her table.this was a nightmare for her .whenever she sat with boys in the past they were sure to make fun of her till she wanted to crawl into whatever shirt she was wearing and never come out.she grabbed her stuff and situated herself in the small chair. Chris across from her, Antia next to him and Issac next to y/n. she kept her head down, not wanting to even look any of these people in the eye.

"Alright so I know you guys have been sitting with completely different people the whole year so take the rest of the period to talk with the people you're with and get to know them." Ms.Kratsteen stated. Anita and Issac sparked up a conversation immediately. They most likely were friends before this.

Chris looked around awkwardly before breaking the silence between the two. "So y/n, you're pretty different from last year." he said, causing y/n to look up slowly. the look on her face almost saying 'wtf'. "not like in a bad way, you still look pretty cool." he backtracked.

"thanks?you look...well the same,"the flushed girl said.making herself let out a soft laugh.he laughed lightly along with her.

Once the laughter died down Chris spoke again"yeah, its harder to change your style as a guy then you would think" he chuckled at his own words.large hands moving to rub his chin momentarily.She couldn’t help but giggle at his words as well.not that it was all that funny but just simply because the way his thin pink lips maneuvered into a sly smile was one that made her all giddy.like butterflies were bubbling inside her stomach as she stared at him intently.this strange, unfamiliar feeling, felt nice.for the first time in a while,she felt nice.

“Hey, how about you come over to mine after school?you can give me some fashion tips” he said half jokingly, not fully expecting her to say yes.but to his surprise she agreed.it was hard to ignore how she blushed deeply, he could practically hear her heart beating out of her chest, or possibly that was his own beat he was listening to.

______ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

The mood of the room was calm.Chris and y/n took turns passing the pen to each other as they sat in the seemingly silent room.the soft sound of a random The Cure song played in their ears.the noise drifting in and over their heads while the room filled with smoke.

Y/n look over to her left on the bed at Chris, red hooded eyes drifting over to his relaxed body.no words came from her mouth although she wanted them to.her mouth was agape, words just at the brim of being uttered.but for reasons out of her control they stayed locked behind her teeth.refusing to spill over which only filled her head which curiosity as to what they could be.

Chris noticed her gaze after a moment.lowly lidded eyes locking with hers.his words came out fast.not stopping themselves at the brim like hers had. “I didn’t know you smoked…” he practically mumbled.

It took her a moment to gather what to say.she never really did, not often at least.due to this the amount of weed she was intaking at the moment made her all the more out of it then normal. “I…I don’t really…only when I’m sad…” she answered at the same volume of Chris’ voice.

The distance between them felt as if it was growing larger as she stared at him from the head of her bed.back lazily rested on a large pillow as he does the same on the other side of the bed.her hand practically moves in slow motion as she reaches to grab her soda from the nightstand.her body was slothily moving as she unscrewed the top and took a sip.letting the sugary drink sit in her mouth before swallowing.

It seemed as if in the blink of an eye Chris was closer to her.like he had teleported closer. “C’mere…” he said quietly under his breath.Yet somehow the words flowed right into her ears making them ring.

She set down her drink again and crawled over to him on the bed slowly.plopping her body down next to his after not very long seeing as they were very far apart anymore.without saying anything Chris took another hit of the pen.confusion etched on her face as she watched him.

Before she could form a coherent thought two of his slender fingers were on her chin.hypnotically pulling her closer making her lips part mindlessly.their open lips collided messily.hot smoke blowing into her mouth making her throat burn.she blew the smoke back out after holding it in her mouth again.

She stared at him somehow blankly.blinking as she tried to process what had happened, yet also slowly forgetting it completely. He stared back at her.not an ounce of nervousness available to him as he gazed into her sinking eyes.

“Again…” she uttered weakly.not exactly knowing where the words or let alone the thought came from to begin with.he chuckled lowly before doing as she said.pulling her close and placing his lips on hers again.their tongues slowly fought for dominance, messy spit pooling together as their eyes closed, all the while deepening the needy kiss.

They were friends, nothing more.honestly it had never been a realistic thought to be anything more.but right now she felt like she had been with him for years.like she had seen every part of him.as if she knew every story he had to tell. She felt like she loved him.

______ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

Chris and y/n laid in bed somberly.they weren't necessarily going to sleep but it was definitely calm.y/n was slightly tapped into a random movie on his tv while he sat on his side scrolling through his phone mindlessly.

It was a nice summer night.the room they were in was extremely stuffy causing y/n to not wear a hoodie like she normally does at night.leaving her scars out In the open.she didn't mind that chris could see her scars as she knew he wouldn't mention them.sometimes she questioned if he even noticed them.she had never caught him stealing glances at them or looking at them with fascination like she had with others.and I mean yea chris could be a bit of a space cadet at times but he wasn't completely braindead.

yet the question lingered in her mind.was that the only reason he had stayed with her so long. cause he didn't think she had gone that far?if he found out, would he be disgusted? as these thoughts raced through her mind a mile a minute she found herself simultaneously pulling the blanket over her wrists.

chris, unlike she had thought, noticed this.he noticed everything about her.he noticed how her face wrinkles like a cat everytime she about to sneeze.and how she ties her shoes into butterfly's cause it's cuter.or how she knows where everyone one of her stuffed animals came from.and unfortunately for y/n, he noticed this small action.it was one so small, so miniscule, that anyone else could have and would have  missed it.but not him.not when it came down to her.

he knew what she was covering.it hurt him to know why she was pulling the blanket over herself and why her face suddenly seemed to have changed ever so slightly.he sat up lazily to be at her level. "baby..." he mumbled.the words felt strange as they ringed in her ears.it was the first time he had ever called her any type of pet name as he stated many times he hated names like that.

she turned her head to him attentively. "what's up?" she tired to act nonchalant even though she was internally fucking dying at the name he had called her in his low, stuffy, tired voice.her eyes scanned over his face for the millionth time.never being able to get fully used to the beauty he held.he could say the same about her with ease, yet he never would, not unprovoked at least.

The next words weren’t what she had expected.she thought he would want to change the movie or that he wants to go to sleep. He sputtered for a moment, trying to find the right words before speaking up. “They don’t bother me, you're beautiful to me no matter what” was all he said.no more, no less, it was perfect.just like every other word he had ever had the privilege of saying to her.

______ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

her resting was peaceful as she lay in her boyfriends arms.it was the morning of her birthday but it was still fairly early for her,8:00 to be exact.soft breaths came in and out of her nose sequentially as her resting eyelids stayed shut.the tranquility she felt was unmatched as she slept.

chris on the other had wasn't as much of a peaceful sleeper.he was practically snoring in her ear as his head rested messily in the crook of her neck that had stayed open through the night, unmoving, subconsciously scared to wake chris up.his legs were sprawled out as the only thing in order were his arms around her.despite the disheveled state he was in he was calm, something which was rare for him.

this moment. one so delicate that it should be treated as porcelain, was dropped from a 1,000 foot tall building as his brothers came barging into the room with a large camera and smiling faces. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!' they shouted in unison, causing y/n to shoot up from her sleep startled, leaving a confused and sleepy chris to roll over onto his back, rubbing his eye as he tried to figure out what the hell was going on.

once her eyes adjusted to the sight in front of her she grumble a quick "what..." as she had totally forgotten it was he birthday.she didn't even bother to fix her messed up hair or the chaoticness of her outfit as she was right on camera.a small part of her knew this would be on YouTube later that night but was far too tired to do anything about it.

"Happy birthday!" Nick shouted again from behind the camera.now reminding y/n what day it was.she yawned before looking over to chris next to her.he was sleepily grinning ear to ear as he was happy his brothers were celebrating her as well.

Before she could think Nick was grabbing her by the hand and pulling her into the kitchen, passing the camera to Matt somewhere along the way as he led her up the stairs to the island in the middle of the kitchen.chris was groggily following behind.

her eyes lit up as she saw the cake they had bought for her.it was custom made to have pictures of her and her friends on the top and all sorts of things that she liked on the sides such as her favorite artists, books and movie.the cake was y/f/c and large and heart shaped.it was perfectly adorned with a white frosting edge and must've cost at least $200.

she picked her head up, tears in her eyes as she looked at her three favorite people surrounding her. Matt smiled cheekily from behind the camera before speaking up. "Do you like it?" he asked even though the answer was obvious.

"i...I love it..." she practically whispered before noticing chris walking off back to his room.she didn't question it as maybe he wanted to fix his hair or put on a shirt on for the camera.while they waited for chris to come back she hugged the two brothers who watched her gleaming face with pride.before she could notice nick pulled a bag from behind the island

He held the pink bag out to her. "here" he said with a grin on his face.she took the bag and set it on the table and took out the tissue paper.her smile lit up even more if it was even possible as she picked up the gift.it was a small collage book.she only grew happier as she flipped through the pages.they were filled with nothing but amazing memories from her entire life.it was impossible to not cringe and laugh as she found middle school photos. showing them to the camera as they all laughed.

It was strange how Chris hadn't come back yet but she assumed he was doing something important down there.matt set the camera down on its stand as he grabbed his gift from his side.setting the black and white bag on the table in front of her. she smiled at him before opening the bag and pulling out the penguin stuffed animal he had gotten her.it was tiny and super soft an the perfect thing for her desk.she took a look at the tag and saw that the plushie had a name tag.slipping over the name tag she saw the penguin had the same name as her.

she looked up with a warm smile. "thanks matt" she hugged him sweetly before nothing chris coming up the stairs again.his arms were held behind his back as he walked up to her.once he stood in front of her he pulled out a sleek black and gold box from behind him.her eyes trailed over the box anxiously as she could tell from just the box that whatever it was was expensive.

She shakily took the box from his hand and opened it to find a silver ring.it was simple and had small diamonds on the sides of it.she put her hand over her mouth in disbelief as she looked at the ring. "I'm not proposing or nothin’...just a promise ring" chris said as he watched her stare at the ring in awe.without saying anything she set it down and hugged him passionately.

"Thank you baby..." she whispered into his neck.although he hated corny pet names he didn't protest.only hugging her back with a smile on his face.simply happy he could make her this happy.

Reader ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

His dick sprung lit of his pants as i pulled down his boxers.everything moving so lustfully slow yet hungrily fast at once.the world was spinning around us and I was so here for it.i wasted no time working my mouths way down to his cock.i didn’t hesitate to deep throat him.his length not fully registering in my head until they had connected.gagging almost immediately. He was bigger than Chris that was for sure.

I bobbed my head up and down quicker each time I came up.air was secondary to his pleasure.his hands somehow found their way to my head and began to touch me down further on his cock. Beautiful moans and whines escaped his pink lips. I looked up at him through my lashes to the best of my abilities and he looked gorgeous.hooded eyes looking as desperate as ever.i loved it.i wanted to soak up all of his being.

His beauty made me work faster.i felt my pussy ache for some sort of attention but I couldn’t bother.i was so locked on his face that my own pleasure was trivial.without warning Matt let out an estranged moan as he came down my throat.not even giving me an option to spit.

Before I could think for myself Matt sat up and grabbed me, bringing us to his bed in order to be more comfortable. Without words he liked his cock up with my soft entrance and pushed into me.a loud moan eliciting from my throat as he did so.he large man began to move fast and hard.having no mercy against me and my sensitive body.

My moans were utterly uncontrollable.only getting louder by the second.thank God nobody else was home. “You love this cock.don’t you slut?” He spat. The temporary pleasure was overwhelming to say the least.I felt so euphoric yet so dazed at once. my body couldn't seem to choose whether to moan out my pleasure or let it all rush to my brain which was already beginning to become fuzzy. "answer me." he sternly commanded.

I felt my body get hotter by the second as I tried answering him. "yes..I love it..so much.."I sputtered out. my eyes rolled back as he continued to drill into me relentlessly.my eyes that refused to open fully rolled into the back of my head as he kept the same fast rough pace, tattooed arms holding my hips in place in a way so brutal that I feared he would crush them.

Chris ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

time felt as if it had skipped as I was suddenly home in the blink of an eye.lost in my thoughts of her, only her.i huffed as I opened the front door.stumbling into my house cause the alcohol was very much still in my system.my struggling emotions were sobering me up somewhat but that didn't help my sluggish movement.

once I had hobbled over to the island that lay in the center of the kitchen I put my head in my hands.leaning over the counter with pure exhaustion.i let out a deep sigh.i had fucked up, bad.i cheated on the only girl i've ever truly loved, the only girl to ever truly love me back.what the hell was i thinking?

Slowly i pick my body up.walking over to the fridge to grab some sort of drink.for the first time in my life i wouldn't mind drinking water if it meant getting the foul taste of the blonde from earlier out of my mouth.luckily for me there was some lemonade left which i quickly grabbed a can on and sung my head back to drink.desperate for some sort of way to wash this feeling off myself.

I set the metal can down on the counter with a clink. letting out a breath i hadn't known i was holding in.my gray hoodie which was lined with fur on the inside suddenly felt suffocating.like as if i couldn't breathe with it on.but i didn't remove it as it was the closest thing to comfort i had right now.my eye rake over to the front door where i see matts keyes sitting on the holder.

Without a second thought I turned my body and head to Matt's room.not fully noticing the loud music.he would know what to do, how to handle this.even if he didn't i really just needed my older brother right now.

My hands were steady as they gripped the doorknob.opening his creaky white door slowly due to me still being absolutely wasted.i kept my head down.afraid to look him in the eye while i explained what i had done out of shame.

Reader ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

my body felt like it was going to go into overdrive as he kept his riotous pace the whole time, not slowing down to give me a moment to breathe once. "hey matt I really fucked up and-" chris started as he opened the door, looking for comfort from his brother for something.matt who was still high as ever didn't even notice this

I hear the creak of the door and immediately attempt to freeze. “Shit…Matt stop— oh fuck…mph.” I babble in attempt to get him to stop.i weakly prop myself up on my elbows to see who it was.through the bliss of getting fucked dumb I could see it was Chris standing in the doorway.despite what I was aware him doing I felt awful he had to see this.I continue to try and pry matt out of me. “Matt stop…Chris’ here.” I slur as the weight of the situation slowly sobers me up.

I watch as Matt pulls out of me hesitantly and turns to look at Chris. I'm the doorway.I knew it was the weed making him act so nonchalant.if we were sober he would’ve jumped out of his skin at the slightest sound of the door creaking. “Oh shittt” he muttered as he lay next to me, propped up on his elbows.I hadn't even noticed he crashed down next to me

“What the fuck…”Chris uttered under his alcohol infused breath.the gleam of the purple lights mixed with the effects of the weed were making it hard me to make out the details of what exactly was in-front of me but I swear I could see his eyes well with tears.

𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘉𝘺 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘶𝘷𝘴𝘹™

[amikaelsonstory]

Not the end, but a new beginning - I

Chapter one.

“All happy families resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way” Lev Tostoy, Anna Karenina

As the brothers stood up, eyes full of tears, racing hearts with fear and gratitude, a breathless, loud scream cut the silent moment

- "DAD DON'T!! WE FOUND A WAY, STOP!"

Hope was running fast followed by Freya, hugged Klaus back, almost following on her knees, gasping with tears running down her face.

Klaus and Elijah turned fast, lowering their pieces of white oak daggers as they approached.

- " What do you mean, darling? I need to go, please understand"   Klaus whispered, lifting Hope face up, whipping tears from his daughter's face.

 Elijah remained speechless, his lips slightly parted in surprise, as Freya reached out and hugged him tightly, making him close his eyes and take a deep breath in some sort of relief.

- It's true brother, I found a way, the Old Gods... they finally gave me an answer. I will explain everything, but please, let's go home"

As they found their way into the compound, Rebekah, Marcel and Kol stood apprehensively up from their seats, relieved to see the girls were able to reach them on time to avoid the tragedy. 

- It seems it's not gonna be tonight you're gonna get rid of the almighty Klaus Mikaelson!  Klaus orotund, opening his arms with his crooked smile, trying to mask his remaining fears and doubts.

- Nik! Rebekah cheered running to hug her brother tightly, while Marcel and Kol tapped his shoulders, welcoming him and Elijah back.

- Let me show you what I found out.  - Freya commanded, guiding the family to follow her to the study room. 

The room was dark, as they entered and approach the table Freya showed them. It had some runes symbols written in blood on a old manuscript, a dead white bird, some herbs and a pendulum spinning fast over a bowl on fire. The air around was thick, heavy, with a slight purple mist around them.  

- Since this whole thing started I've been searching for a way to overcome the hollow power, it had to have another way, she is not the biggest power in the universe. Freya pleaded. "So I had no choice but to reach the Old Gods, from motherland, where our family comes from"

- Norway? - Elijah whispered, lifting his eyes from the runes to meet Freya's, who slowly nodded. She closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath before opening them again.

- Odin heard my prayer but the spell hasn't been fully revealed yet. For now I can suppress the hollow effects in Klaus, but until the full moon we must find The Undead whose sunlight cannot harm. 

- A vampire that doesn't burn in the sun? With no magic, no ring? Kol bawled in disbelief, crossing his arms against his chest - That should be easy - he taunted ironically.

- It doesn't matter, we will find it - Rebekah assured, touching Marcel's shoulder - Can you ask your people to track it and bring it to us?

I'm on it, I'm gonna make some calls and my guys will bring it to us. - Marcel stated, picking up his phone and walking out of the room - Dead or alive, or it doesn't matter?

- ALIVE - Freya's voice sounded louder than she expected - Please, we still don't know what we will need to do next, for now, you can go rest. Klaus you stay, I need to make the ritual to hold the hollow until the next full moon.

___________________________________________________________

As the days passed, the Mikaleson's basically turned the whole vampire world upside down, reaching all the possible sources in order to find this so-called "sunlight proof vampire", but they were running out of time and all they had was a whole bunch of nothing. 

Okay, not nothing. They knew there was a woman, but nothing sounded like the real deal, more like gossip if much.

Elijah, Klaus and Hope were at the study room, digging deep into all they could find.

- Alright, I managed to filter all we have, names, places, stories and got into 3 possible names. - Hope shared with them, without taking her eyes out of her laptop screen. - Natalya Fyodorova, a ballerina from Bolshoi ballet, last seen circa 1970, in Moscow. Sister Ionescu, the oldest register, seen in Romania in the beginning of 20th century and - she folded her index fingers quoting- the most "recently" - we got Minna Murray, 2007, UK. No job, no city info, just a name.

Klaus paced side by side in the room, placing his hands on his hips, looking down as he was hearing his daughter.

- Most likely it's the same person - he paused - But how do we find this bloody woman? It's not possible that nobody knows her whereabouts!!  - Klaus exploded while pouring himself a glass of bourbon 

Elijah placed his papers down on the desk, paying attention to the names Hope said. His eyes wandered away, frowning his eyebrows.  - Niklaus... weren't we in Moscow in 72?

But before Klaus could answer, Freya stormed into the room.

 - We have visitors, they found something.

[skeletinmoss]

Let's talk about Sanders Sides and why it should end.

Disclaimer: this is my opinion, I don't have any malicious intentions by voicing it, please don't harass me or people working on the show as the result of reading this rant. You can just stop reading if you don't like what I am saying.

Thank you for understanding.

I myself only joined the fandom 3 years ago. Along the years there has been a lot of content and I was captivated immediately. The characters are the main thing of this fandom and I would like to talk about them first.

They started to not be themselves. Maybe it's now that obvious when you watch one new episode every year, but for someone who just showed up and binged it it's quite noticeable.

There is a thing that happens to every character in every long term content (I'm sorry I can't remember how it's called). With time they become parodies of themselves. And as the time goes on they become more and more simple. That can change the character drastically. Someone who was street smart becomes a character that you can't believe is still alive with how stupid they are.

The same thing is starting to happen is Sanders Sides. It's basically a running gag that Logan lost all his whimsy and is gonna snap at any time. This is the example of simplification, what is left of him is only his core elements. Logic, no feeling, smarty pants, facts, jam. However it ties into the story quite well. No one listens to logic. It makes us invested in how this unnoticed before conflict would be resolved.

With Patton it's not the same. He used to be innocent. An adult who doesn't want to grow up. He was relatable. Maybe it's because Thomas is older now, but the innocence in Patton's character started to come of as ignorance. He used to come of as deeper than at first glance, smarter than you give him credit for. Now he just acts stupid. A guy who can set water on fire. A guy who doesn't even try to confront reality. He was supposed to get character development. Where is it?

Virgil started to be more cringe and boring. He's emo and his character trait is to act like an angsty teen. However now it's more of an adult pretending to be a teen. You can most see it in the Jam video where he tries to do skateboard tricks and we can see his boxers sticking out. Why would you do this? He used to be sassy, he used to be arrogant villain who can't get rid of. He got excepted, and despite the Halloween episode about the phases, and him saying " It's still my job to scare you" we don't ever see him do it. He hangs around I guess, but he lost all his bark and bite. All that's left of him is just moody.

Roman likely didn't change that much. His original chaotic nature masks any changes so far. Although I would say Roman lost quite a bit of his drama and sass. Being sick because the ego was bruised, starting a rap battle just to prove a point and show off, singing and " Making the song 10 times better" in his opinion, freaking out because a person he ships Thomas with has called him back. In flirting with social anxiety he does freak out because of the cute guy, which is very Roman, but it's a bit strange that the embodiment of pure creativity would not find words to finish a poem. ( I have my questions with him in the nostalgia episode like playing the instrument poorly even if he showed he can draw a Mona Lisa with crayons, or not allowing Thomas to demonstrate the dance, but I'm just gonna put that under " Possibly Janus pretending to be Roman")

And Remus and Janus wasn't here long enough to start to fall apart. Although I don't think Remus would actually be able to fall apart as a character because of his chaotic nature.

The second thing I want to discuss are sponsorships.

I am happy that Thomas gets the money and has the opportunity to get more. But did he had to put characters into the sponsorship?

The jam one was fun. It was a joke what turned true. A running gag. But it also gave the community something to interact with. Four new jam flavours, characters on the package, limited sets. You could try something your favorite character likes!

There were good sponsorships on Thomas's chanel before. Like Hello Fresh. He did the advertising as himself, not as characters. It wasn't so in your face. And that's how it should be. He wasn't begging for you to buy it. He was simply sharing a good thing he uses. It wasn't loud and obnoxious. Even if it wasn't as entertaining as the jam musical or character jam merch, you still felt like you could buy it. The food looked good!

It's not the same with VPN, now is it? I would not get any character interactions if I buy this thing. So why are the characters involved? Because I like them and it would be easier to sell me something if They tell me to buy it? Why are you so pushy for me to buy it?

We all are waiting for the season finale. Something grand. Something epic. Something to finish the story. But I don't think Thomas should start another season. He would probably be tempted to, because of the new character involved, but that might not be a good decision. I'm not saying he should stop with the Sides altogether. But I feel like short video format would suit the characters better from now on. No big plots, no storylines, just characters interacting with each other in different situations.

Finish it. Put a stop to the story. All good things need to end. Don't drag it out or you will ruin what we love so much about those characters. It would turn into 8 seasons of Winx instead of the planned 3.

Give them their happily ever after.

I hope I'm not coming of as rude, because I don't meat it in a rude way. I just have things that are bothering me that I want to talk about with someone and see if other people think the same

[humanpurposes]

Initial thoughts on Season 2 Episode 1

I understand there's a big cast, there are more locations, we're introducing new characters, but the scenes really need room to breathe and just exist within the story. There was so much jumping around, compared to 1.1 which was a lot more focused in terms of storytelling, but then we've got a lot more going on here.

The visuals are gorgeous, there are some really good interactions, but overall I'm somewhat underwhelmed.

I loved starting off in the North, the raven flying to Winterfell while Goodbye Brother played genuinely made me tear up. And for what little time we got with Cregan Stark I liked his conversation with Jace. Look at these two kiddos taking their responsibilities head on!!

Rhaenys ate Daemon up hehe. Daemon's still a loser.

So you could give me Criston "muff muncher" Cole but not a single line of dialogue from between Baela and Jace :/ I love the idea of Alicole being canon, but I expected their relationship to be a bit more subtle, a bit more tentative rather than having two sex scenes shoved in our faces with no explicit buildup from season 1.

I love Aegon trying to be a dad and how he looks at Jaehaerys in the small council. I like that he's more willing to take on the role as King, and whether he is looking for validation or if he's being strategic, it's interesting that he points out the importance of keeping the small folk happy, because he's absolutely right.

The disconnect between Aegon and Helaena breaks my heart. It's the point Tom and Phia made about them being parents, siblings and spouses, and they still can't find common ground. What gets me as well is that they're both trying to be good parents. They clearly love their children despite the terrible example of parenting they've had growing up, and the fact that they themselves are so young.

Otto's done with everyone lmao.

I wishhh we got more of the immediate fallout of Storm's End on the Greens' side. I wanted to see Aemond get berated, I wanted more panic from their side when they realise they're heading for war and the danger that will put them in.

Rhaenyra's limited screentime was really effective for me. Her finding Arrax's wing, her reuniting and grieving with Jace, the funeral, Emma plays those silent moments so well.

Blood and Cheese... I'm trying not to judge this too harshly because to be fair, I did have an idea in my head of what this scene was going to look like. I thought there would be more hysterics, and then it all happens so... simply. Phia did an incredible job with what she was given, and I do find it convincing that Helaena would shut down a little bit, that she'd go into this state of shock and want the situation to be over with as little fuss as possible. That's the thing with trauma as well, it's not always melodramatics and screaming and crying, sometimes it is just as simple as, "this awful thing is happening."

I wish there had been more buildup for this as Helaena's moment. As @ai-megurine said, this scene should have been told from Helaena's POV, her sharing a moment with both of her children not knowing these are Jaehaerys' final moments. I appreciate they tried to create a bit of an emotional connection between him and the audience with him in the small council chamber, this really could have set us up for a really gut-wrenching moment. That being said, sound will always get me, hearing the sawing was horrific, and the muffled crying killed me.

Is it a bit of a cop out that the assassins were the ones who decided to kill Jaehaerys and not Aemond? Daemon's the one going "a son for a son," so in a way it feels like a "will no one rid me of this troublesome priest" moment. They were technically following orders. I like this illusion of control when it comes to violence. Rhaenyra is as cautious as she can be in 1.10 because she knows things will get out of hand if she acts on her grief. It makes perfect sense that she wants Aemond dead, but then she's made the order for bloodshed and she can't fully control what happens next. Just like Aemond may not have intended for Luke to die the way he did, but he acted on impulse with terrible consequences.

[sublimetragedychopshop]

BABE PLS PLS PLS BRING BACK PLAYER YAN X READER

Player Yandere Part 2 (sorry it’s not long like last time)

This is for everyone that wanted a part two cuz I didn’t even know where to go off of after the first part The story sets with our dear Bitch Yandere who finally figured it out that they have feelings for you right? That YOU are the one making THEM feel all these feelings that they thought they were INCAPABLE of. It was quite the shock. But getting over that their goal changes just ever so slightly.

Plan:

1. Make you fall head over heels for them.

2. Use you

3. Toss you away in the most humiliating way possible

Yeah then it became this:

1. Make you fall in love with them

2. LOVE YOU FOREVER AND EVER AND NEVER LET YOU GO

3. Have a happy life and even death because I swear they are planning to bury y’all in the same coffin.

Yeah, not too much of a change. Though just when they finally realized that they are in love with you, they start small. First, deleting any other person in their phone; cuz having other people in their phone would be cheating right? Bye, past hookups. Bye, friends with benefits. Bye, dumbass dorks that thought they had a chance.

Next was the stalking information gathering! When they were playing and bothering you before; they never really dived deep into you. Sure they used to take a glance or too at your social medias (or lack thereof). But now they seemed to make it a habit of learning ALL THEY CAN. What do you like to do outside of school? Which subject is your favorite? What’s your favorite food and why? Do you love them? Ever had a childhood pet? What is your favorite memory? Do you think about them as they do you? Ever had any girlfriends or boyfriends? (Careful with this one; your answer will result in the possible death of someone) it seemed they liked to keep information about you in their phone-that they filled with you, you, YOU- in flash drives, computers, notebooks. Even though they don’t seem like the studious type, they would EXCEL in the study of YOU.

Third, was getting their new found feelings across to you. People SNAP their necks at the 180 degree turn of their personality now. It seems like a totally different person has taken over their body. Do they have a twin or something? Because (yan) would never talk like that or do those things in a MILLION years. Their usual flirty, easy going personality switched to a regular and reserved one. No more unnecessary touching, sweet words or crude gestures. No, that side of them is ONLY reserved for you now. They HAVE to let you know how serious they are about you. How much they are willing to change just for you to look at them even for a moment more. Open and sexy clothes that they used to wear? Oh yeah, they only wear modest clothing now. Why? Because that’s basically disrespecting you! Why should other people get to see them like that when they are all yours?!

Surprisingly- or not— everyone catches wind of this. News is spreading like wildfire everywhere. From their little posse of gossipy Rich kids to even the nobodies of the school know now that the schools “Player” changed and fell in love. Of course everyone is coming up with their own story.

“I heard that they are being blackmailed by (y/n)- something like their parents are secretly SUPER RICH and they have some dirt on them-“

“No- (y/n) DEFINITELY did some type of hypnosis on them.” “Alex told me that (yan) got SOLD by their parents to (y/n) so that they wouldn’t go bankrupt. Like, one direction wattpad plot who?”

It was very annoying for you. Coming back to school expecting for everything to be normal, only to come back to your usual pest (yan) acting weird and even MORE annoying than usual, news that your in a relationship they you didn’t even know about, rumors of how your blackmailing, trafficking,brainwashing someone that you would LOVE to get rid of.

With a sigh, you got up to leave the classroom. Lecture time went by as you tried so hard to focus on the teacher, but to the pin prick feeling that you got from peoples stares made it a little hard to concentrate. Even walking through the campus, people felt the need to LITERALLY, VERY OBVIOUSLY stare and whisper in your direction. Let’s see how you react to this situation now..

(Sorry babe, life has been kinda busy lately. Thanks sooooo much for requesting a part 2 tho! 💖its nice to know people really like my schmuck of a yandere. If anyone has any ideas, comments or anything my inbox is open !! 💖)

[turtletaubwrites]

i’ve been LIVING for your we all got needs series !!! if possible, i’d like to request a little blurb of when zoro and sanji have sex with other people and the readers reaction (for ex nami or robin ) TYSM!!!

Hi, thank you so much! 🥰 I've got plans in the works, so these blurbs won't fit in the story timeline, but I hope you enjoy them!

Everything's Fine ~ Part 1

Pairing: Sanji x Fem!Reader & Zoro x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 787

Summary: You've been seeing both Zoro and Sanji for awhile now, and now they'd each like to see one of your friends. How well do you handle sharing your boys?

Rating/Warnings: Fem!Reader, Reader Insert, Polyamory, Relationship Discussions, Cigarettes, Pet Names, Established Relationship, Jealousy, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Fluff

A/N: These blurbs are from the We've All Got Needs series (sometime after part 9), however won't fit in that story because I've got other plans. I hope you enjoy these, and the drama coming up in future installments!

Sanji Asks Permission

Sanji pulled you aside after dinner.

“It’s not your night, waiter.”

“It’ll just be a moment, Marimo.”

Sanji’s eyes met yours, but quickly looked away. He was blinking too quickly, and your brows furrowed.

“It’s okay, Zoro. I'll meet you in a minute.”

Your swordsman gave a disgruntled huff, but left you in the galley with your cook. 

Following him to the table, you saw beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

“Sanji, what’s wrong?”

You’d gripped his hand, suddenly concerned. He squeezed your hand in both of his on the table, and they were clammy.

“Sanji-”

“Everything’s okay, darling. I just…”

His voice was strained, his face turning bright red when he met your eyes.

“Please, Sanji, you’re starting to scare me.”

He pulled his hands away, almost fumbling to light a cigarette. 

“Nami and I- We discussed making an arrangement of our own.”

His wide eyes stared into yours, and you caught yourself before laughing.

“Fuck, Sanji, you had me worried!”

“Oh, I- uh…”

The reality of it sank in then, and you thought of your friend, and of Sanji who had become your cook. You knew how much Sanji had been enamored with the orange haired navigator, and you were hit with the stinging fear that you would lose this beautiful man to your beautiful friend. 

You let yourself breathe deep, the scent of his cigarettes keeping you in the moment. 

“I want you to be happy, Sanji.”

His face burned red again, and you fought not to giggle.

“Let’s just keep talking. If you guys start seeing each other regularly or seriously, then we can all figure out boundaries okay?”

“O-Of course, darling!”

Before he floated into the air, you patted his hand. 

“To be honest, Sanji, I am nervous.”

He looked almost shattered then, and you hurried to reassure him.

“I’m just nervous because I love being with you, and I don’t want to lose you.”

“Angel, I could never leave you. You mean the world to me.”

Tears had pricked the corners of your eyes at your confession, and he snuffed out his cigarette and rushed to cradle your face in his hands. 

“Darling, Y/N. Please, if you’re not comfortable wi-”

“No Sanji, it’s okay. I think I’ve just gotten so used to being spoiled.”

You gave him a watery smile, already feeling more at ease. Feeling connected with his hands on your skin, and his sweet words soothing you. 

“Beautiful, you know I will never tire of spoiling you.”

And you believed him.

Zoro Asks Permission

Zoro had followed you out on deck after lunch, and stood awkwardly while you leaned on the railing, enjoying the fresh air. 

“Are you on guard duty or something?”

He coughed, shifting his weight, looking sheepish. 

“What’s going on?”

“I…”

You raised your eyebrows, wondering if you should start to worry. 

Zoro took a deep breath, and then quickly forced words out of his mouth as if trying to get rid of them. 

“I want to ask Robin if she wants to sleep with me. As long as you’re okay with it, Needy.”

You were too impressed that Zoro managed to tell you his feelings to realize what it meant. 

Then you nodded slowly, letting the idea wash through your head.

My Zoro. And my Robin.  

He was staring at you like he was expecting you to fall over or something. 

“I…I am okay with it. I think I just need a little bit to get used to the idea. Is that okay?”

He smirked before pulling you into his arms, rubbing a hand along your spine. 

“Of course it is. Needy.”

You squirmed against him, trying to push away to stick your tongue out at him, but he crushed you against him until you were gasping with laughter.

He sat you down with your back against the rough wood of the railing, and trailed his fingers along your face, shoulders, and arms. 

“You know you’ll always be my Needy girl.”

And you believed him. 

The Morning After

The morning after their first time together, you felt like a piece of shit. You’d been literally spoiled with both Sanji and Zoro hanging all over you at every meal, and you caught yourself feeling jealous that your friend would be taking some of that away from you. You pinched your thigh, trying to get out of that spiral. 

Stop it! I love them all! We are all family on this ship. I’m not losing them. I’m seeing them have more joy and love in their hearts. And that makes me happy.

And you believed yourself. 

You were all human, and it was still going to talk a lot of talking, and a lot of work. 

But it was worth it.

Thank You For Reading! 💜

Part 2: Everything's Fine.

TurtleTaub Fanfic Masterlist

Buy me a coffee ☕🙏🏼

[grifff17]

Audiodrama Sunday 10/13/2024

Happy Audiodrama Sunday! Last week I didn't get a chance to make one of these, so strap in, I've got a lot of shows to talk about this week. I may write this one more rushed than previous ones for that reason.

@midnightburgr - New Welcome to the Horizon. Verge’s secret finally comes out, I love how they set up verge having 4 arms in the last main feed episode. Bringing up the black exclusion law was so brutal, I’m from Oregon and somehow didn’t learn about that law until my senior year of high school, really felt like my education failed me there. Also the song was so good, audiodramas with original music is my favorite thing!

@brimstonevalleymall - It's back! I thought this show was dead! I decided to give it a relisten in prep for season 2, the standout scene was Trainee and Misroch’s heart to heart.

Dear Liisphyra - Season 4 finale. The ad read for an opposing radio station interrupted by a technical issue was so funny. I keep thinking I should submit a question to this show but I never get around to it.

Rude Tales of Magic - I finally started the Nethermurk campaign. this campaign is so quoteable. Both “if we die we die together” and “Hot dogs are made of boys” in specific silly voices are burned into my brain.

@breakerwhiskey - It's back! Much sooner than I expected. I can't wait to see what direction the story goes from here, an inconsistent upload schedule is really interesting given the framing device of the show.

Case Study IREC-A59 - We have communication! I love good “humans are space orcs” worldbuilding. 

Skyjacks: Courier's Call - I loved the overcomplicated discussion of code phrases. Erin breaking character and cracking up when Fenton figured out the curse was so funny. The worldbuilding that magic items come from someone trained in magic caring about an object for a long period of time is such an incredibly cool detail. I may steal that for a dnd game at some point.

@starfallpod - Season 2! Lots of new characters in this one. I like the orphan kids a lot. What is functionally a giant dragon mechsuit possibly coming to life is truly terrifying, though it seems likely that the kids stole it.

@lostterminalpod - Season 17! This show has such cool worldbuilding, it's a truly unique take on a post-apocalyptic world. My favorite part of post-apocalypses is always the theme of hope, which Lost Terminal nails.

@storiesfromylelmore - ItMe really knows exactly how to pull at my heart. Rion wanting to get rid of his werewolfness was heartbreaking, and Keryth sneaking out to make healing potions because she keeps injuring herself to give Rion luck was just as brutal.

Starwhal Odyssey - The quote “in the cutthroat world of interdimensional restaurateurs, theft is pretty common” really sums up this episode. I love all the tenants we're getting to meet, the tabaxi family based off the cast's cats is incredible.

@worldgonewrongpod - This episode got unexpectedly real, it really nailed the whole vibes of this show. Anyways, I'd want to meet the ghost of Alan Turing.

@kingmakerpod - Love to have the Kingmaker gang back for season 2.  A lot of pieces moved into place to set up this season, including what I'm guessing is World War 1! Getting more into the alt history and politics of the setting is very cool.

That was a lot. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up with future weeks.

[elisysd]

I Wanna Be yours – Arctic Monkeys

Masterlist - Previously - Next Chapter

Secrets I have held in my heart Are harder to hide than I thought Maybe I just wanna be yours

“And that’s a wrap for Flowers and Crowns! Amazing job guys! I could not ask for a better crew!”

Just like everyone else, Lyanna clapped her hands, happy and a little sad as well to end the shooting. The movie ended its first life, now it was on its way to a new crew to make it perfect for the release in a few months. She hugged the director before heading to her trailer only to be stopped on her tracks by her least favorite castmate.

“David. What do you want?”

“To say congratulations. Is that so hard to believe?”

“Do you want the truth or a lie?”

He arched an eyebrow and she sighed.

“Seriously? You’ve been horrible with me. And not only with me, but you also made the atmosphere absolutely uncomfortable for everyone on set. I’m sad to not come to work anymore because I truly loved the story and its message, but I’m not sad to leave you.”

“Oh come on Lyanna, if you can’t take the joke…” he tried to defend himself.

“A joke? A fucking joke? You know what a joke is David? It’s messing with your partner stuff, replacing the sugar in her favorite tea in the morning with salt, but it’s certainly not bullying. You threatened me, you grabbed me when I’ve never given you the permission to do so. I haven’t reported you yet because I’m hopeful and maybe a little naïve that you can grow the fuck up, but I won’t hesitate to do so if when we see each other again, you try something. Did I make myself clear?”

“If you threaten me Lyanna, I will not hesitate to send your little porn video to your precious little Charles.”

“Go ahead. He knows about it and guess what, he doesn’t care. This video made me miserable once, but it’s over. I won’t let it ruin me anymore. So do wat you want with it. The most important people in my life are already by my side and in my corner. They don’t define me by this stupid video. As they should. But if you want real threats David, knows that I have contacts in this industry. More than you. Just one phone call from my end and you will be jobless really quickly. It stands for me but also for everyone that will work with you in the future. If I hear about how badly you treat people in the workplace, and believe me I will know, I won’t hesitate to call a few people. Did I make myself clear?”

At Lyanna's dark look, David couldn't help but gulp. She could be scary when she wanted to be.

“Very.”

“Perfect. See you for promo then.”

And just like that, she left as quicky as she came. She could not wait to leave the studio and go to Charles’ apartment. He did not tell her wat he planned but she knew it would be simple and intimate. She got rid of her clothes, showered as fast as possible and dressed with spare ones she brought one her way to work this morning. Finally, she was out and made her way back to the residence.  

On the other side of Monaco, Charles was busy tying up loose ends for the evening. The meal was quietly cooking in the oven, the table was laid, the hoover was done, and the smell of the flat was fresh. Classical music was playing softly in the background. As for him, he was dressed in his whitest shirt and the only one that had been ironed.  All he was waiting for was Lyanna.

Fortunately for him, he didn't have to wait long. The young actress rang his doorbell at 7pm sharp, a bottle of red wine in her hand and a dazzling smile on her face. She kissed Charles on both cheeks before entering the flat and making herself comfortable on the sofa.

“You seem in a good mood.” Charles greeted her before joining her on the sofa.

“I am. I said what I needed to say to David. I put my big girl pants on. I’m proud of myself.” She confessed.

“Congrats! If you are proud of you, then I am as well.”

“Thanks Charles. Not just for that but for everything. I think you don’t know how much you helped me.”

“I did not do anything.”

“Yes. Yes, you did. I don’t think you totally grasp how I was when I first arrived in Monaco. I was lost, did not have much confidence in me, not that I’m very confident now but I’m starting to. I was scared of what people might think of me and I was constantly fearing to be judged because of a stupid video that I’m not responsible for. And then I met you. You changed me, Charles. Well not really changed, but let’s say that because of you I’m a better version of myself. And for that I’ll be forever grateful for you and your support.”

“Wow… Lyanna I… I don’t know what to say. You’re welcome?”

“You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know all of that.”

Charles was stuttering and to avoid feeling any more comfortable decided to open the bottle of red wine. The evening was spent in a light-hearted atmosphere. Lyanna asked Charles what he expected from the final part of the season, to which he replied that he didn't expect much, apart from not going completely insane, and that his sights were now set on 2024 as he had nothing good to rescue from 2023.

As for Lyanna, when he asked her what she was going to do now that filming was over, she replied that she was planning to spend some time with her family before returning to London and its gloom. And then she'd take it from there. That was the beauty and, at the same time, the anguish of her job: not knowing what tomorrow would bring. She had some commitments to honour, some brands to meet and perhaps some new contracts to sign. And then the usual, auditions to prepare, scripts to read and long days spent by her phone waiting for a call that might never come. Hearing her words, Charles couldn't help wondering why she insisted on returning to London when she could do all this so easily from a remote location.

“Because London is my home? I pay a rent Charles. And even if I don’t live there very much, I still love the place and all my things are there.”

“Yeah, I know but, technically you don’t need to be there. You can call your agent from anywhere in the world. Prepare auditions where you want. What I mean is, you don’t go to the office, you don’t have a job in a big corporation.”

“I still need a roof over my head.” She pointed out laughing.

“You have a roof. Here. Above my apartment.”

“Well, the lease is not at my name. And it has been rented for the duration of the shooting. So no, I don’t have a place to stay here.”

“I could let you stay at mine.”

She sighed. She felt as if she'd already had this conversation.

“Listen and listen carefully, Charles. Why would I stay in a city that is definitely not made for me. I’m not a fan of being here. If Monaco is bearable for me, it’s because you are here. If I stayed here, what would I do. I don’t know anyone. I don’t have my habits. And clearly, even if I’m an actress and I have the chance to do more than okay moneywise, I’m not rich enough to be able to rent in Monaco. The only thing I have here is you. And we both know that you are not here for long when you have the chance to be. So tell me, why would I stay?”

“Well for starter, you are wrong, you do know some people, you know my friends, Carla, you could meet my mom as well. For the rent, you don’t have to stay in Monaco. There are cities like Nice or along the French Riviera that are much more affordable. And you would be near your family, you would not need to take the plane to see them. Or they could come to see you more often. See, many reasons to stay around.”

She gently shook her head. She was touched that Charles was trying to hold her back, but her mind was made up and she wouldn't go back on it.

“You are stubborn Lyanna.”

“You are too, mister.”

There was a silence, during which Charles took the opportunity to clear the table and put the plates and cutlery in the dishwasher. When he returned, he was surprised to see Lyanna standing by the piano, absent-mindedly caressing the black and white keys. He watched her silently for a few moments and couldn't help thinking that there, by the window bathed in the light of the setting sun, he had never found her as beautiful and as at peace as at that moment.

“You play?” he asked her, breaking the magic of the instant.

“It has been a while. I was thinking that I’ve never really heard you play before.”

“Well, that should be rectified immediately.”

Charles sat down on the piano bench and rolled up his sleeves before letting his fingers dance across the keys, creating a soft, melancholy melody. Lyanna, leaning against the instrument, looked on in admiration.  If she could stay like this forever, she would. She hadn't really told Charles the whole truth about why she was leaving. Of course, what she had told him earlier was true. But deep down, she could sense that her attachment to Charles was much deeper than she was trying to convince herself. It wasn't love, or so she thought. It had been so long for her that she no longer knew what it was if she ever did. All she knew was that Charles made her feel alive for the first time in a long time. And this addiction she was creating terrified her. This feeling of wanting to see him all the time, of being the first person she wanted to talk about her day, whether it was good or bad, this lack she felt when they hadn't spoken for more than 24 hours, she knew it wasn't healthy. Charles was like a drug and even if the withdrawal was going to be violent and difficult, it had to be done. But she would treasure these last moments for a long time to come.

The melody came to an end and Charles looked up at her, smiling. He shifted on the bench, inviting her to sit next to him, which she did.

“You said that it was a while since you played. What do you think of restarting now, with me. Together.”

Lyanna couldn't help but hear a second meaning in his words.

“I would love to.”

The two young adults awkwardly began to play together. The melody was far from perfect, it was off-key and more than once their fingers touched, both trying to reach the same note. But it was their own melody. Unique. They went on like this for a while, letting their minds, their doubts, their fears and all the unsaid things float away in the musical notes. They didn't know how long they'd been sitting there at the piano. But in this moment of complicity and complementarity, neither the actress nor the pilot wanted to interrupt the instant.

When they finally looked up, it was beginning to get dark. Not a word was spoken. There was no point, the music spoke for itself.

Charles took a deep breath. Something in the atmosphere had changed, he could feel it. He didn't know what exactly but it was as if a mechanism deep inside him had suddenly been activated. Like something was finally clicking into place. His eyes fell on Lyanna. His gaze caught hers. What if what had been missing from his life all this time had been there all along, but he'd been too blind to see it?  Or not ready. Could it be that, as Pierre had told him on the phone earlier, while he was preparing dinner, he and Lyanna were already behaving like a couple, without actually being one? Was she his missing piece? A wave of regret swept over him. If that was the case, it was too late. He was leaving the next day, she soon after. Starting a relationship now, assuming she felt the same as he did, would be doomed to failure. If he had ever believed in long-distance relationships, he didn't now. And with her, he certainly didn't want distance. Charles laid his eyes on the young woman's lips. All he had to do was lean in and he'd have his answer. But was it worth breaking a friendship? Wasn't it just nostalgia for the moment that made him think like that?

Lyanna noticed the change in Charles' attitude and the look on her lips. She knew what was going to happen, she could feel it. It made her panic. A point of no return was about to be crossed and she didn't think she was ready for it. So it was she who broke the magic of the evening. She stood up hastily, urging Charles to do the same.

“Oh my god, it’s so late. I should go. You must wake up early tomorrow.”

She hurried towards the entrance, gathering her things before heading for the front door. She was about to step through when Charles grabbed her by the hand.

“Lyanna, wait. You can’t leave like that. Did I do something wrong?” Charles panicked.

“No, no absolutely not. You made everything right, Charles. That’s the problem somehow. If I don’t leave now, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to.” She confessed.

“Then don’t. You don’t have to. We don’t have to say goodbye. Please Lyanna, come with me.”

She wasn't sure whether he was talking about the flat or in general.

“I can’t Charles. You’ll be fine. With or without me. And we’ll text and call. I promise.”

“Come to Zandvoort. Please. I need you there, I’m not ready to let you go.”

Her eyes filled with tears. She had to leave the flat and she had to leave now. She brought her hand to her lips and placed it on Charles's chest, close to his heart.

“I’ll be there. Not physically, I can’t promise you that I will make it. But I’ll support you from afar. Take care Charles.”

And just like that she went away, leaving Charles with a feeling of emptiness.

Lyanna only took a few steps before bitterly regretting the way she had left. This behaviour was the Lyanna of a few weeks ago. But if she had learned anything, it was that she had to face her fears and reality rather than run away from it. Leaving like that, she couldn't bring herself to do it.

She took a deep breath and, before changing her mind, returned to Charles's door. She gave it a loud knock before seeing it open instantly. Charles was standing in front of her, looking defeated.

“Did you forget something?” he asked her.

“Yes, yes I did.”

And just like that, she got closer to him and placed her lips on his.

====

taglist @zendayabelova @purplephantomwolf @ru-kru @dakotali @blueflorals @aundercover @ruleroftheuniverse

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb: A girl with dangerous magic makes a risky bargain with a demon to be free of her monstrous power in this young adult fantasy perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens and House of Salt and Sorrows.

Liska knows that magic is monstrous, and its practitioners are monsters. She has done everything possible to suppress her own magic, to disastrous consequences. Desperate to be free of it, Liska flees her small village and delves into the dangerous, demon-inhabited spirit-wood to steal a mythical fern flower. If she plucks it, she can use its one wish to banish her powers. Everyone who has sought the fern flower has fallen prey to unknown horrors, so when Liska is caught by the demon warden of the wood—called The Leszy—a bargain seems better than death: one year of servitude in exchange for the fern flower and its wish.

Whisked away to The Leszy’s crumbling manor, Liska soon makes an unsettling discovery: she is not the first person to strike this bargain, and all her predecessors have mysteriously vanished. If Liska wants to survive the year and return home, she must unravel her taciturn host’s spool of secrets and face the ghosts—figurative and literal—of his past. Because something wakes in the woods, something deadly and without mercy. It frightens even The Leszy…and cannot be defeated unless Liska embraces the monster she’s always feared becoming.

Review:

Howl's Moving Castle mixed in with Polish mythology and so much more. This was a gorgeous story filled with magic, romance, dangerous monsters, and deals with demons and old gods. Liska is a girl cursed with uncontrollable magic, every time she lets it out someone ends up hurt... or dead. In an attempt to finally get rid of it she decides to wander into the woods to make a deal with a demon. But deals with demons always comes with a cost... so when she meets the Guardian of the Woods, Leszy, he asks for one year of her servitude in exchange for her magic. For one year she will live in his manor and work under him and to her surprise he even begins to train her as his apprentice. One year should go by right? For a village girl shunned by everyone in town for being a "witch" Liska strangely begins to feel like she has found a home for herself with this strange demon and his sentient house and talking cat. Liska and Leszy are polar opposites, she is sunshine while he is darkness, she is a curious and open while he has so many guarded secrets. Yet Liska finds herself drawn to his secrets and his past, trying to figure out why he wants her magic and what happened to the previous apprentice who lived her as well as why a mysterious ghost dog keeps haunting her at night. Liska discovers more than she could ever imagine about the demon boy she lives with and that beneath his gruff exterior lies a boy who is cursed. Liska discovers that Leszya got his power from a deal with a powerful demon himself and that he gave his heart up... yet if she wants to save the boy she has begun to fall for she'll have to break his curse and save his heart before it's too late. This was an absolutely fantastic and stunning read, I adored this book so much, It's such a perfect read for fans of Howl's Moving Castle and Uprooted, it's got a great world and the relationships between the characters was absolutely perfect. My only thing is I wish there was a bonus chapter or a bit of an extended epilogue so I could see more of Liska and Leszy together again after everything. I just wanted one more happy scene for them after everything they went through so badly because I love them so much. I seriously loved this book and can't wait to recommend it!

*Thanks Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Margaret K. McElderry Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[feathers-second-face]

Does Alastor actually care about the hotel or it's residents?

I think maybe.

So I JUST got done writing a collage essay of a theory on the Lilith/Alastor thing, so what am I going to do?? WRITE ANOTHER ONE!!

Spoilers

Okay, so I'm gonna start of with the fact that I wholeheartedly believe Alastor was only there because Lilith sent him. The hotel doesn't have any of what he seems to prefer as entertainment (murder, cannibalism, it his friends), so to go there and then do pretty much nothing to actually bring in any guests sorta brings that into questions. He was there because he had to be, not because he cared.

HOWEVER!!

Things can change.

In the pilot, Alastor tried to make a deal with Charlie. I believe he did this entirely for leverage to get his soul back, and when it didn't work, decided to either never bother again or try it again when he'd gained a bit of trust. The thing is, he hasn't done that again. By now, he should now he can EASILY trick Charlie into making a deal with him, but he hasn't. Why is that? Well, unless he's just simply not willing to risk it or forgot about that idea, there's the idea that he cares about her, even a little bit.

Episode 5 rambles, yey. I don't think he sent Mimzy away because if the damage to the hotel, I think it was because if her antics got Charlie killed, he'd face punishment for it, but it's definitely possible that he may have been a bit worried for his friends too.

Now onto my big point, Alastor spite-dadding. Most of us know that it was likely to be manipulative or to piss off Lucifer, but I do think there was some genuineness behind it. Alastor's expressions during his song change quite a bit. Every time he says anything along the lines of her being like a daughter to him, he glared at Lucifer. In one line, though, 'You're like the child that I wish that I had', he looked genuine until he said the word 'child', then finished the sentence looking genuine again, then continued to glare at Lucifer.

This leads me to believe that even thought he's likely VERY MUCH exaggerating their relationship to spite Lucifer, he does care for her, even if just a bit.

He interupted Lucifer's song and then proceeded to tell him to butt out (lol). He clearly didn't like him since the moment he walked in the door and was very much trying to piss him off, but in the end, I think he mostly just wants Charlie to be happy.

In the song at the end of the episode, Alastor is shown watching, and doesn't interrupt. He can see she's happy and her dad is actually trying, so he stays out of it, whereas the song at the beginning was entirely Lucifer trying to get rid of Al (until he interrupted).

I wouldn't say he looks necessarily happy, but he sees she's having a moment and puts his ego aside and doesn't butt in this time. He definitely cares enough to let her sing an entire song with her dad, who he hates. He put her feelings above his spite here, and I think that says a lot.

Another note; The pacing really hurts the judgment on this. It's not Viv's fault, as she was halfway through season 1, and was under the impression that there would only be 8 episodes, but it makes everything so much more difficult. There was a 5 MONTH time skip. 5 MONTHS. Literally ANYTHING could have happened. in his song, Al pointed out that he made her laugh with puns, seemed to have a history with being rather useful, and has likely had casual interactions with her, but because of how little time there was, we weren't able to see that. We couldn't see anything aside from plot point after plot point because Viv needed to get the story out, and there was no time for her to show some of the more casual interactions with the characters. Maybe Alastor DOES spend time with Charlie and care for her. Maybe he HASN'T. We'll never know because there wasn't enough time to show it, and that makes it so much harder to judge.

I will say, however, that Charlie is naive, but not to the level of seeing some guy who she spoke to maybe 10 times claim to be her father figure and agree with it. She 100% thought (whether he's lying or not), that Alastor cared for her like a dad would, and it made sense to her. That says something at the very least, I think.

What we really need is Alastor regretting his wording when Charlie calls him dad.

TLDR; Alastor cares, but dad might be a stretch. The pacing definitely made it hard to just.

[yanderes-galore]

Love ur work! Can I please request a short story Yan! Rick x reader (Rick & Morty) . What would happen if the reader got a partner, whilst Rick was like obsessing over them?

Sure! I don't mind writing for Rick again :) I think I used this plot before but not for Rick so here's a different spin on it, it's one of my favorite story plots lol. It just kind of lead into it with the way I was writing this. Sorry it's short :(, I did want to add more to it but was not sure what.

Try Again

Yandere! Rick Sanchez Short

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Somewhat Self-Aware yandere, Obsession, Jealousy, Murder, Manipulation, Forced relationship, Stalking, Brainwashing, Mentioned drinking but nothing actually happened.

It could be such an easy fix. He could simply get rid of this other person then use a machine to fix everything. He curses himself for being too slow... yet he likes it when you're happy.

Rick thought he had more time to become an important part of your life. He had a whole plan. He was going to slowly manipulate you into loving him so it seems natural, then you'd love him as he did you. Then someone beat him to it.

"Rick! Someone asked me out!"

He knew he was still supposed to play the platonic friend at the time yet he cringed the whole time doing it. Someone else asked you out? How did he miscalculate this... he thought he knew everyone you knew.

"Really, now? What'd you say?"

"Yes!"

"... nice.... Do I know this person?"

"No... I met them recently!"

The moment he took his eyes off you, he lost you. His plan took too slow and you managed to throw a huge wrench into it. He thought he had control over who you met!

Guess not....

Rick waited things out for more info. He watches you like usual but this time shows more attention to your partner. He can't believe this person swooped in... right in the middle of his plan, too.

That can be fixed, he knows it.

There's many ways he can fix this. Most of them centered around the death of your partner. Yes, it's selfish, it's cruel, yet Rick was never really known for the best morals. Many see him as selfish anyways.

Part of him liked how happy you were now. Although he quickly suffocated the idea. Sure, you're happy now...

But he could make you happier.

Even he knew that was a lie, that did not stop his plan however.

It's an easy fix. Rick could easily start the plan again. It would be against your will but he could easily make you his yet again.

It's admittedly not the first time he's done it... why else does he have so much control in your life?

It's yet another reset. He'll give this another try. It was time to put his old plan back into use yet again.

He'd remove your partner from the picture. He'd wash your brain of them and their disappearance like the last ones. Then it's back to normal.

You getting a partner during his obsession with you wasn't going to stop him. One way or another you'd both arrive back at square one. All due to Rick and his mastery of technology.

He should really leave you alone, let you live your own life happily. Then he reminds himself that you were the one that cursed him with feeling this emotion again and you'd have to deal with the consequences. In a way, call this a punishment for the both of you.

His plan would work at some point. He tells himself this as he readies the blaster pointed at your partner's head from his hiding spot. He just needed to try again.

The sound of the blaster and your screaming is like deja vu in his ears. How many times had he done this? How many times has he shot you with the tranquilizer gun and your partner with the blaster.

He wondered if he could really keep doing this when he drags you to his lab. It feels wrong to wipe your memory so much. But Rick is so close.

You're so close to being his. Soon you WON'T have to do this anymore. Then it can finally just be you and him.

This is what he keeps telling himself. Each time it goes wrong but he still keeps doing it. Soon, he'll get it right.

When he sees you wake up and look at him with confusion, he pats your back and sits you up. He prepares the same story he's used time and time again. All with what appears to be a loving smile.

"Drank a little too hard with me last night, didn't you?"

It's when he sees you look at him with such care that he convinces himself to keep going. He may be playing dirty, but it won't matter in the end. He gives you a hug and you hold him back with a small 'yeah, I guess...'. You are nonethewiser to how he's using you to fuel his selfish desires. He'll have you to himself in the end...

He just needs to try again.

[exhaustedpirate]

parent for hire

As mentioned in the prologue post, let me know if you'd like to be included in the tag list for this project! From this post on, I will be uploading moodboards made by me. This project will have a constant "THANK YOU" to @kmomof4 for making this whole thing possible!

Chapter One - The Rescue

word count: 2772 words 

rating: Teen and Up

tag list: @cocohook38

read on AO3 | prologue

Killian Jones always got his bounty. 

Since he began his solo career as a bounty hunter, he could count on one hand the ones that had escaped him. His successes had helped his reputation soar and had given him a name of his own. Hook.

And with a name of his own, he gained some competition, and some enemies.

One of them was Blackbeard - a ruthless man without a shred of honour.

Killian tried to make his coin in a way his former Captain would be proud of, honorably. He would accept bounties to capture criminals, to help people. There were times he would slip - innocent people were sometimes worth a lot of gold - but those were few and far between. 

He wasn't sure where his most recent bounty fit. His employer had been vague - a large sum of gold to capture a wizard. No indication as to why or what they intended to do with him. Killian's history with wizards made him uninterested in asking those questions. As far as he was concerned, he would be quite happy to rid the world of another one. 

His heart stuttered as he thought of what he lost, the hook on his left hand feeling heavier than before, the weight on his chest suffocating. He heard her pleas, his own cries of pain. Magic served only to destroy. 

He shook his head, wanting out of the memory, returning his focus to the present. He urged Roger forward, matching his heart rate to the horse's foot falls. Seemingly understanding his mood, Roger's path veered towards the beach, keeping close to the water.

Luckily, Glowerhaven was a coastal kingdom. It was also where Killian knew Blackbeard’s lair was located.

According to his employer, Blackbeard had been hired to bring in the bounty but was now refusing to deliver, making the wizard's retrieval much more difficult for his employer than necessary. That had earned Killian a far bigger reward.

He wasn't surprised to find out that the old pirate was the one that had his bounty. Nor was he surprised that he was giving their employer trouble. Blackbeard was as greedy as he was despicable, and he undoubtedly thought there was more gold to be had by spreading  the story of his exploits in capturing the bounty and then handing it off to the one with the deepest pockets rather than delivering it to their employer. But Blackbeard’s stories, Killian had learned, should always be taken with a grain of salt. He may have heard the bounty was dangerous, but… well, he’d see when he got there. Right now though, those stories weren’t even close to Killian’s greatest concern. 

Killian's only worry as he stood hidden near the entrance of the cave where Blackbeard had his hideout was the fact that, for once, it wasn't a fair fight - there seemed to be at least 5 other pirates huddled inside. He counted his bullets, confirmed that his sword and daggers were still in place, employed his signature swagger and bravado, and made his way to the entrance.

Two pirates standing guard held him at sword and gun point while Killian pretended to simply be there to talk to their boss. They seemed confident; that was good. Confident meant sloppy. They obviously believed that the close proximity of their sword and gun to his neck and gut, respectively, would keep him in line.

Blackbeard sat with his smug, golden-toothed smile welcoming him like an old friend. Anyone could see the glint of murder in his eye, however, and Killian knew that one wrong move could send him to an early grave.

Thankfully for him, his past encounters with Blackbeard had given him a tried and true technique to victory. The old pirate may be ruthless, but he was defeatable.

"I thought I smelled you in town," Killian said jovially with a wide grin, holding out his arms as far as he could with the other two henchmen at his side.

"And I should have known that you wouldn't miss out on the gold." Blackbeard seemed to be playing the same game as he - fake pleasantries over an underlying tone of menace.

"The stories I’ve been hearing,” Killian shrugged before he continued, “I thought you'd be willing to share if I helped you bring it in." He wasn't even trying to hide the lie. It didn't matter.

He wasn't surprised when the captain and his crew burst out laughing at his words. He was counting on it, in fact - an over the top suggestion to distract them enough for him to grab hold of the dagger literally hidden up his sleeve.

"Thank you, Hook, I needed a laugh," Blackbeard said breathlessly as he wiped an imaginary tear. "As if I would ever need your help… or another pocket to share my gold."

"It was worth a try, don't you think? I heard the job was dangerous. And let's be honest, mate, the members of your crew are not exactly the sharpest." Killian grinned as he clicked his hook against the sword against his neck. He also took this moment to take a closer look at the crew and assess his situation. 

There was only one gun among the 5 crew members and none on Blackbeard. The bastard wasn't exactly reserved in his use of arms, shooting his guns at anyone who crossed his path. He seemed to forget that acquiring bullets was expensive and Killian could only conclude he didn’t have the gold to spend on acquiring more.

He could see a cutlass on each pirate. Which of course did not include the numerous - he was sure - daggers hidden on their collective persons. They were pirates after all.

"Dangerous…" Blackbeard chuckled. "Well, that’s not exactly true…” he shrugged. “Had to make the story a little more interesting, you know.” Blackbeard pulled on a chain as the pirates holding their weapons against him turned Killian towards the person at the end of said chains.

It was a boy.  

"What is this?!" His surprised shout echoed in the cave.

"This, my friend," Blackbeard began, pulling the chains so that the boy awoke from his slumber. "is the bounty. As you can see, it wasn't as difficult to acquire as you heard."

It had to be a trick. Powerful mages were known to hide their true appearance, trick their attackers - that had to be what was happening here.

The bounty, now fully awake, sat up with effort, his wrists chained up. He was pale, as if his life had been sucked from him. The child's eyes landed on him - such despair, such fear contained within. Killian caught his breath, and for a moment, it was as if he was looking in the mirror.

Blackbeard seemed unaware of Killian's inner turmoil, however. With another tug, he sent the boy sprawling on the floor and Killian took an instinctive step towards them only to stop when he felt the cold metal still held at his throat. The boy whined, clearly weak.

"It was like taking candy from a babe,” Blackbeard gloated. “He was so scared, he didn't even put up a fight."

Similar statements echoed in his head, a hint of the panic he had felt - what seemed like centuries ago - constricting his chest. Where that sentence gave Blackbeard an obvious and deep satisfaction, it caused sympathy to rise up in Killian. With a heave, Blackbeard held the chains up, forcing the boy to his feet. With his other hand, he grabbed the boy's face in his. "Isn't that right, brat? You even begged."

The boy's fear was like a physical thing, a weight in Killian's gut. Had he, so long ago, been that different from this child?

Making a split second decision, Killian used his hook to push the sword away from his neck while with his other hand holding the dagger, he slashed the gun-wielding pirate in his stomach. At the same time, knowing he would pull the trigger, Killian took a step back - the expected shot hitting the other pirate instead of him. 

Two down, four to go. 

"Get him!" Blackbeard shouted, once he realized what was happening. The boy, no longer being held, fell in a heap on the floor. 

The dagger still in his hand was thrown at another pirate’s chest. Moving quickly, Killian removed a dagger from his right boot. Ducking to avoid an opposing dagger, he sunk his into the approaching pirate’s side.

Four down, two to go. 

The last pirate approached him fast. Killian kicked him away, giving himself time to unsheathe his sword. Blackbeard wasn’t known to employ the smartest of men - you didn’t need smart, you needed a body able to follow orders and withstand the rough life at sea. Killian had training and his wits, his adversary didn’t. Brute force was nothing without accuracy. Killian’s sword slashing his enemy's thigh as his hook sank into his shoulder was enough to bring the man down.

“Useless rats!” Blackbeard raged, wielding his sword. “It won’t be so easy to get through me, boy!”

He was right. Killian had had enough run-ins with Blackbeard to know that he was indeed a much more formidable swordsman than his crew. Not enough to worry him, however. 

It might be extremely arrogant of him to think that way with a very real enemy eager to end his life standing in front of him, but Killian knew his own strengths and he knew how to win.

Movement to the side drew his attention. As he stopped Blackbeard’s strike to his head with his sword and hook, he could see the boy shuffle to a sitting position. Blackbeard’s hold on the boy’s face had left a mark. There were two deep red marks on his cheeks, a stark contrast against the paleness of his face.

A grunt from his rival drew his concentration back, he ought to be paying attention to the danger in front of him. The fight was taking too long. Killian needed to end it before any other pirates showed up. 

Summoning his strength, Killian pushed the sword away from his face, forcing it to the side. Dropping his own sword, Killian threw a mighty punch to the pirate’s face. With a quick glance towards the boy, he kicked Blackbeard away. With the boy pulling the chains taught, Blackbeard tripped, sending him falling back and hitting his head on the wall.

Only waiting a second to guarantee the unconsciousness of his rival and to grab his dropped sword, Killian made his way to the boy.

How could a boy so small be considered such a threat? A threat worth such a high bounty? Perhaps he was more dangerous than they all thought.

As he reconsidered his decision to free him, the child looked at him.

He had heard of spells cast with only a look. But what he felt wasn’t magic, it was recognition. He saw himself in the boy. He looked at him with fear but with an underlying feeling of hope. There was stubborn determination hidden in his thinned lips. The mirror staring back at him.

He hadn't asked what they wanted to do with him. He hadn't cared. Was he just as bad a man as his own father willing to lead a child to an uncertain future? No child deserved such a fate. 

In an impulsive move, Killian brought his hook down on the chains. He heard the child’s breath catch as he surely expected a mortal strike. Luckily, the chains broke immediately. They locked eyes once more. Surprise took the place of fear and Killian couldn’t help but notice how the child’s face slowly gained color, seeming more alive.

Magic chains, no doubt.

With a centering breath, Killian held out his hand to the child.

“What do you say we get out of here, lad?”

The child seemed to look for something in his gaze. Killian expected to feel the invasive nature of magic searching his soul, his intentions. But there was nothing.

But when the boy - having found whatever he was looking for - took his hand, he felt warmth. Magic or not, it felt good. Magic had never felt good before. 

He wasn’t aware of his held breath until he released it. Giving his head a slight shake, - he needed to focus - he looked around. The room they were in was still full of dead pirates and one unconscious captain, but he could hear others farther back in the cave. 

The boy's hand was limp in his grasp and he noticed his difficulty in standing up, his body weak. The cuffs that had been on his wrists had obviously drained him, exhausted him.

“Let’s go,” Killian tugged the boy's hand, his left shoulder carefully placed on his midsection. Standing up, the boy rested comfortably on Killian's shoulder. "Try to hold on, lad. It's going to be a bumpy ride."

He felt the boy's grip on his vest, strong enough to urge him into a run. It wasn’t long, unfortunately, until he heard thundering steps behind them. The other pirates were gaining on them, fast.

The child’s weight on his shoulder slowed Killian's rushed steps. Killian could hear the horse outside the cave guiding them in the right direction, the night’s full moon thankfully lighting their way. 

"Look out!" The boy's croaky warning rang out as Killian heard the whizzing of a dagger thrown at them, cutting his cheek but sinking into a nearby tree just outside the mouth of the cave. 

Daggers. Of course, he should have expected it. 

With a groan, Killian pulled the child to his arms. The horse was close, he needed to get the boy on it as fast as possible if they were going to escape.

He felt the boy's eyes on him, more specifically on the cut on his cheek.

"We're almost out of here, lad," Killian reassured, thinking the boy's gaze was of apprehension.

It seemed Killian Jones was in for a few more surprises.

It was as if time slowed down as the child wriggled out of his hold, landing on his hands and knees on the ground. Not wasting another moment, he watched as the child closed his eyes and held out his hands. A wave of energy, like a summer wind, burst from the child. When he looked at the previously-approaching pirates, they were all sprawled on the ground, unconscious.

Killian stared at the boy. He had known - had been told and feared - that he was a powerful mage, but seeing such a small child produce such impressive magic was both astounding and terrifying. 

“My name is Henry, by the way,” he said as he sat back on his heels and turned to Killian with a genial smile.

Before Killian could respond, they were interrupted by a whooshing sound and an orange light in front of them. That old bastard had been hiding a magic bean. It had likely been dislodged in the blast of Henry’s magic and activated. It was their best chance of escape.

"We have to go."

Rushing to the horse and untangling its leash from the tree, Killian mounted the animal. He and Roger moved quickly towards Henry, Killian reaching out a hand for the boy who seemed more interested in looking into the horse’s eyes. He raised his eyebrow at the boy, apprehensively glancing at the portal.

"What's his name?" Henry asked, keeping his gaze on the beast.

Safe to say, the question caught him off guard. "What?"

"The horse, what's his name?"

"You are seriously asking me this now?" Killian balked, pointing at the portal in front of them. "We have to go!" "It's rude not to ask for his name if I'm going to ride on him." Henry looked at him with clear and innocent eyes.

Killian sighed, looking up at the sky for a moment. "It's Roger. Happy?" he asked, raising his eyebrow.

Henry smiled brightly, holding up his hand. Killian pulled him up and deposited him behind him on Roger’s back. He rushed him forward as fast as he could, not wanting to let the portal go to waste.

“I’m Killian, by the way. Killian Jones,” he said as the boy wrapped his arms around his torso, his hold stronger than before.

He thought he could feel the boy's bright smile once again at his back. “Thank you, Killian Jones.” Henry’s words were the last thing he heard before the deafening sound of the portal took over as they approached and crossed.

He tried not to let his thundering heart and conflicting thoughts distract him from the sweltering heat and spice smell of Agrabah.