#( this is probably a vision alice is having rather than a dream )

[fallingforunrealisticromance]

Dream Lord? - 11th doctor x reader

Summary: Based around the end of the 'Amys Choice' Episode. S5 Ep7. A/N: One of my favourite episodes not only because we get to see how much Amy really cares for Rory but also theres something about the darker side of 11 that i love to see.

Warnings: mentions of sexual content, swearing

Word count: 2094

Requests

------------------------------------------------------------------------------My head pounded as I opened my eyes. Everything was a blur.

“Psychic pollen” the doctors voice cut through my ears as I rubbed my eyes allowing my vision to clear. “That’s what that was. Come on, up you get.” I felt a hand wrap itself round my arm, pulling me up. “You’re alright. Nothings broken.” He said, grinning at me. I rubbed my head, noticing the glowing specks in his hands.

“What are they?” Amy said, walking down the stairs with Rory behind her.

“As I was saying, psychic pollen. Originated from the Candle Meadow of the Karass Don Slava.” He explained.

“That’s a lot of words to process after everything.” I grumbled.

“Oh, you poor thing.” The doctor replied sarcastically.

“Rude.” I replied, smiling at him. He made is way over to the Tardis doors, blowing the pollen out into space.

“It must have been caught in the console, it heated up and put us all in some sort of psychic trance” He explained, coming to stand next to me resting against the console. I rested my head against him, still feeling tired even though by the sounds of it I’d just had to deepest sleep of them all.

“So those specks, they were the dream lord?” Rory asked.

“What? Oh, no. no I thought it was obvious, the dream lord was me. The pollen pulls on the darkest part of you and gives it a voice.”

The three of us looked at him, unsure of how to respond. My heart sunk for him. All those things the dream lord had said about the doctor, they were all his own thoughts.

“But all those things he said, you don’t actually believe them do you?” Amy said light-heartedly.

The doctor didn’t respond, he just stared at her. Oh my god. He genuinely believed it. All of it.

“Now Amy, a question is about to occur to Rory and seeing as the answer will probably change his life, you should give him your full attention. Me and Y/n will get out of your hair for a moment. Come along, y/l/n” The doctor said, pushing Amy towards Rory and dragging me along behind him down one of the many corridors.

“how do you think that discussions gonna go” I asked light-heartedly.

“Well, I assume very well. And knowing them its probably going to be filled with lots of kissing afterwards. I honesty do not know how they do it for so long.” The doctor replied as we entered the library.

“Everyone loves a good make out session.” I said, flopping down on the sofa.

“Do they?” He asked, sitting beside me. I lifted my legs, resting them on his lap.

“Oh come on your telling me 907 years and you’ve never….dabbled.” I suggested.

The doctors face went red as he fidgeted with his bowtie. “Well, I mean…you know…I’ve been around.” I laughed at his reaction.

“Anyway, we aren’t talking about me. Now books, books are fun.” He leant forward and grabbed a book from the table in front of us. “Alice in wonderland, what a classic.”

“Oh one of my favourites.” I beamed. “Read it would you?” The doctor glanced at me.

“you want me to read to you?” He seemed rather surprised.

“If you wouldn’t mind.” He smiled at me as he opened the page. He began to read. Before long his voice faded, I could still hear him of course, but my mind was elsewhere – no longer focusing on the individual words.

“There’s no one in the world that hates me more than you do” The words from earlier swam around my mind. I always knew the doctor had a darker side to him than he let on, but I don’t think I realised quite how deep rooted his self-hatred was. And it hurt to know. I gazed at him, taking in his features. One of his hands rested on my legs occasionally raising to turn the page as the other held the book. His jaw flexed with every word. His eyes, darting over the words quicker than mine ever could. He was beautiful. In more ways than one. Not just physically, but his soul. Everything he does for others, the impact he has – and he can’t even see it himself. I was too lost in thought to notice the doctor had book the down.

“Everything okay over there y/L/n?” He asked, sounding slightly cautious. My eyes snapped to meet his. I loved it when he used my last name.

“I’m all good Doctor” I said, offering him a smile but he didn’t seem convinced.

“Is my reading boring you?” He joked.

“What? No, never. I was…thinking” I replied.

“Oh, that’s never a good thing to do” I chuckled at his comment, but he could tell it wasn’t sincere. “What’s bothering you?” He asked, resting both hands gently against my legs. I chewed my lip slightly, unsure of how to approach it. I didn’t want to upset him. But he needed to know. I took a deep breathe before answering.

“Those things, that the dream lord said. About you.” I said slowly. The doctors’ eyes flickered with an emotion I couldn’t quite place.

“That’s how you feel about yourself” I stated, looking at him for confirmation. He looked down before nodding slightly. I pulled my legs from his lap, moving so I was sat in front of him.

“I don’t know if anything I am about to say will help, but you need to know how wrong you are about yourself.” His brow furrowed as he looked at me again.

“You are more wonderful than you know. The care you hold in your heart for people is a beautiful thing doctor. You do a thousand things a day to save the universe and never ask for anything in return. Think about how many lives you have saved, how many civilizations are still growing, thriving because of you. The impact you have had on the people around you is magical thing. You make people want to be better. Not just for you, but for themselves. You show people a better way to live.” I was rambling at this point, but it was all true. I hoped he could feel the sincerity of my words.

He looked hurt but not necessarily in a bad way, almost as if he’d never been spoken to in such a civil manner before.

“But the people I lose, the people who die because of me.” He choked on his words slightly as his eyes began to water. I cupped his face in my hands.

“None of those are your fault doctor. Please believe me. Anyone who knows you will agree with me when I say you are not a bad person. You never want for these things to happen. And, with no disrespect, you are one man. One man trying to keep the universe from imploding. So I’d say you’re doing a pretty good job.” I said, smiling at him. He smiled back, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“I know you aren’t perfect. I know that you have done things you would regret.” I began, pulling my hands from him. He looked surprised as I continued.

“You believe there’s a darkness in you. And maybe there is. But the same can be said for me. Or Amy. Or anyone you’ve ever known. There are things I’ve done, people I’ve hurt that make me hate myself more than you know. And while I am not claiming to understand or even feel the way your darkness sits on your soul; I do know that just because it’s there doesn’t mean you are controlled by it.” I let my words hang in the air.

The doctor stared at me in a way he never had before. Almost as if he was seeing me for the first time.

“I just want you to know you aren’t alone in this. And you don’t always have to be so brave. Because the people who care for you will be here to get you through it. The people who love you – Amy, Rory, River – they will remind you of the light.” I smiled softly at him. He reached forward, threading his fingers through mine.

“And you?” He asked gently.

“I will be here until you order me away. It’s not so easy to walk away from the man you love, even if he is an alien.” I chuckled to myself before realising what I had said. Fuck. How did I let that slip out. My hand tensed in his as my eyes widened. My breathing quickened. I needed to say something. Anything. Nothing came to my mind.

“What did you say?” The doctor asked, sounding breathless. Shit fucking shit.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. Well I meant it as in that’s how I feel but you weren’t supposed to know.” I pulled my hand from his as I stood up and began pacing. “Just forget I said anything. I’m sorry. I know relationships aren’t really a thing for you. Fuck, I’m so embarrassing.” I ran my fingers through my hair, not noticing how close the doctor was stood behind me. I felt his large hands plant themselves just above my hips, turning me to face him.

“y/n?” He said quietly. I stared at him, my arms hanging awkwardly by my side. “Be quiet” And with that he leant in, softly placing his lips against mine.

It didn’t last long, but it was sweet. He pulled back scanning my expression for any sign of regret. I stared back at him. Before he could pull away any further, I grabbed his face bringing his lips back to meet mine. This was a lot more passionate as I leant against his chest, grasping at his shirt. The doctor wrapped one of his arms tightly around my waist, the other finding a home at the back of my head pushing me further into him.

Our lips melded together perfectly. I had always imagined kissing the doctor, but I never knew he would be such a pro. But then again, with nine hundred years of experience, should I have expected any less? His lips were effortlessly beautiful. He moved back until his legs hit the edge of the sofa, causing us to pull apart for a second. We were grinning at each other like children.

“Told you everyone enjoys a make out session.” I said cheekily, before pushing him onto the sofa and climbing on top of him. He laughed slightly before attaching his lips back to mine. I threaded my fingers through his hair pulling gently, causing a small groan to erupt from the doctor. My heart jumped at the sound. I could feel his hands gripping against my waist, holding onto me as if he was scared I would disappear.

We broke apart to catch our breath, but the doctor leant forward, kissing my neck. I held his head as I leant mine back allowing him more access as I breathed heavily.

“I love you too by the way.” The doctor breathed. I chuckled, only now clocking the fact he hadn’t said it before.

“Well that is good to know time lord.” I replied, pulling his head from neck.

“I’m so lucky to have found you.” He whispered, gazing into my eyes. I planted one last soft kiss against his lips.

“What the fuck” Amy’s voice came from the doorway. Our heads snapped round to see the ponds staring at us. Rory’s mouth hung open, unsure where to look. Amy had a glint of joy in her eyes, her arms folded across her chest.

“Hello” I said sheepishly.

“How long has this been going on for then?” Amy quizzed.

“I’d say about 5 minutes?” I replied, looking down at the doctor who looked rather flustered. His hair was a mess, his face flushed a soft shade of pink.

“Well. It’s about damn time.” Amy said clapping her hands together.

“What do you mean?” The doctor asked.

“Do you know how painful it’s been watching the two of you pine for each other all this time?” She replied laughing. The doctor and I swapped a look.

“Was it really that obvious?” I chuckled.

“YES” Amy yelled.

“To be honest it did seem to be like the only two who did know it was the pair of you.” Rory added.

“Well, I’d agree with Amy then, it’s about time.” The doctor commented, smiling up at me.

“I think so too.” I replied, kissing his lips once more.

[aylacavebear]

The Traveler - Chapter 16 - Wonderland Pt. 3

You're from a specific dimension, Solaris Eclipse. It was a dimension of magic. When your kind, the Eldrathiren, turned fifteen, your unique power would awaken within you. Most times, it was something small, levitation, teleportation, creation, elemental manipulation, and things like that. Once in a while, a fifteen-year-old would just disappear, and those were called Travelers. None of them had ever returned. Your parents had told you stories about them, and you hoped that wouldn't happen to you.

Please don't take my work. I'll post warnings for each chapter. Will probably be 18+ I haven't decided yet!

Word Count: 4488

Pairing Eventually Dean Winchester x OC Reader/You & Sam Winchester x OC Reader/You

Warnings: Angst - pretty sure that's it - just some tense situations. A/N: Don't think there's anything else in this one. It's fairly relaxed.

A/N: This dimension was suggested by @snowayumi, and I absolutely LOVED how it came out. I hope you all love it as well.

----------------------------------------- Chapter 16 - Wonderland Pt. 3

The Hatter helped you return to your normal size with the mushroom pieces from Absolem. It was a little trickier than with the cake, which you had eaten first. With what was left, you only got to half your normal height. The only downside to the mushroom piece was that it made you sleepy, or perhaps it had been the tea. You weren’t entirely sure.

Although you yawned several times, trying to force yourself to stay awake, the Dormouse took pity on you, showing you inside their quaint little home. It looked just as weird as you’d figured it would, given how Wonderland seemed to be. Plus, it fit the style of the Hatter, with different hats adorning the place in the strangest of ways.

If it weren’t for being as sleepy as you were, you would have taken far longer to admire the madness within the home. Hats of every imaginable shape and size hung from the ceiling, nestled in corners, and balanced precariously on top of bookshelves. A tea set was in perpetual motion, floating from one side of the room to the other. You had barely laid down on the bed before the dreamworld of Wonderland pulled you from the waning night. Your dreams were filled with visions of the brothers that night, feeling an almost ache in your soul.

Over the next couple of days, the three of them shared so much with you about Wonderland. You learned of the Queen and her rather ruthless ruling of the world. Then there was a woman named Alice, and you noticed how they all seemed very fond of her. The Hatter told you fantastical tales of elusive creatures. Like tiny fuzzy mushrooms called Mome Raths, that only came out at night in the forest, illuminating the path and another creature that would come behind them, dusting the path away as if it were never there at all.

The Dormouse, perched on a stack of teacups, told you about a bird with a cage for its body, where it kept its young until they were old enough to be on their own. It was quite the protective creature, hiding in the treetops of the forest near the clearing. The Hare became quite animated when he told you of the creature that had shovels for faces, digging holes in search of shiny objects all throughout the forest.

You laughed so much, enjoying their stories of Wonderland and the oddities it held. The Chesire Cat had even joined The Hatter and others for tea a few times. Watching a cat drink tea was quite the site, as he seemed to levitate the cup occasionally versus using his paws. “A touch of magic and madness in every sip,” he’d say, his grin never fading.

The longer you stayed in this world, the more you thought you saw, just beyond what was there. Shadows would flicker at the corner of your vision, and whispers seemed to carry on the wind, always out of earshot. Then, they would be gone just as quickly as they appeared whenever you attempted to focus on them.

Near the end of almost a week, you felt a pull to press further into the madness that was Wonderland. The three of them made sure to give you lots of treats from the large variety that adorned the table. Then, The Hatter hugged you, his hat slightly askey as he did. “Remember, you’re always welcome here, dear Traveler,” he said, his voice softer than usual. He then handed you one of his scarves, the color of which matched your eyes, “For the road ahead,” he added with a wink.

You thanked him, then bid the three of them farewell, instead of going the way the Knave had gone, headed beyond the Hatter’s home. There were those odd signs that, of course, made no sense, but it was where you felt pulled to venture. Numerous times, you thought you saw things, but when you attempted to focus on them, they disappeared completely.

Curiouser and curiouser.

With it being daytime, you were able to see the forest in the light, what came through the canopy anyway. The trees were vibrant in color, with scattered flowers blooming along the forest floor. Ferns and short tufts of grasses dotted the sides of the path, along with mushrooms. The thorny vines had beautiful yellow blooms larger than your hand which was a stark contrast to the color of the tree it had wound itself around.

The air was filled with the scent of wildflowers and a hint of something sweet and unidentifiable. There were what you wanted to call a bird, but it had no wings. It was by far the oddest thing you’d seen, or at least, that’s what you told yourself. The odd creature had a pair of large, round eyeglasses as its body, with two small bird legs protruding from the bottom. The glasses had a nose bridge that resembled a bird’s beak, which made you look at it curiously.

There were several of them perched on branches, watching you from above, seeming just as curious about you as you were them. However, they didn’t get closer, so neither did you. This time, as you walked further into the forest, you didn’t have a destination in mind. You knew you didn’t want to go toward the Queen’s castle, so you avoided any path with that direction.

As the day wore on, illusionary things drifted in and out of view between the trunks of different trees. You remembered how you were warned to stay on the path, but your curiosity was beginning to get the better of you. The shadows also almost seemed to move on their own in the distance. 

I really should stay on the path.

It was something you kept trying to remind yourself of. Your ears twitched with the sound of whispers that you couldn’t quite make out. You attempted to focus on how no two trees were ever the same shade in color, as the forest had been vast and almost neverending. It only lasted so long, though, seeing a door standing on its own, nearly fifty feet into the forest. 

You would look over at it, trying to make out the details from a distance, but would eventually give up and continue along the path, turning down different directions when it would fork. In true Wonderland fashion, the door would appear again, the same distance away, almost as if it were following you. You were watching your surroundings less and less, and the door more and more. Finally, when your curiosity finally won out, you stopped walking forward and toward the very edge of the path, staring at the door.

Momentarily, you remembered back to the warning your parents had given you, so long ago. Don’t leave the village, especially on the day your powers were to awaken. Then there had been the warning from the creatures of this world you’d already spoken to. The one that kept your curiosity on the door was what Absolem had said: The path will reveal itself to you, as it always does in Wonderland.

The door seemed to be following you, and your resolve to stay on the path was quickly waning. It looked completely out of place, nestled amid the myriad of colored trees and tufts of grass, yet it also seemed as if it belonged there. Your eyes drifted down to the edge of the path, which your shoes were only an inch from, then back up at the door.

Damnit.

You took a deep breath and stepped off the path. The grass below your shoes felt soft the further you walked. You turned around halfway to the door and let your head hang low when you saw how the forest had completely changed. The path was gone, replaced by dense trees and undergrowth.

Looks like I’m either going to get myself into a lot of trouble or perhaps find a way out of this.

Turning back to face the door, you pressed on. The closer you got, the more details you could make out. It was an elegant, ornate structure, its base nestled into the earth below it as if it truly did belong there. The door itself was made of dark, polished wood, its surface intricately carved with patterns of roses and vines. The doorframe was equally elaborate, wrought from iron and twisted into shapes that mirrored the carvings on the door. Thorny vines wrapped around the frame, blooming with vivid white roses that seemed almost too vibrant to be real. The handle was an antique brass knob shaped like a rosebud, cool to the touch and slightly tarnished with age. 

You walked all the way around it, but both sides looked exactly the same. The white roses reminded you of the one who had helped you in the garden when your journey here had begun. A smile tugged at your lips while your ears twitched with the sounds of the forest. Whatever was on the other side of this door, it felt as though it was calling to you.

You took a deep breath and let it out with a new determination as you reached out, gripping the doorknob. Your heart pounded a little harder, knowing nothing was what it seemed in Wonderland. Upon turning the knob, it silently slid open, revealing an entirely different landscape on the other side. Hedges of vibrant green adorned both sides of a cobblestone path. The sky above was a soft blue, clear, and without clouds. There was also a sweet, beckoning scent of roses that wafted through the open door. Lamp posts dotted either side of the cobblestone path with lanterns that seemed as though they were floating just below where they’d be clipped in place.

Cautiously, you stepped through the door, only taking a few steps before looking behind you. With a sigh, you saw the door was gone, leaving a dead end in its place with another hedge. 

Looks like I’m committed to this now.

Turning back to face the path ahead, you moved forward, taking in the scents, and realizing there were no sounds. Not even of bugs. So far, you hadn’t seen the flowers that were giving off that sweet scent of roses, but the further you walked, the stronger it got. You took several turns before you came to a fork, leading in three different directions. The hedges were far too tall to see over, and due to the thorns that adorned them, there was no way to climb them either. That was when you finally noticed a contrasting color against the green of one of the hedges. A red rose?

Gingerly reaching out, you gently touched the petals, finding them velvety soft against the skin of your fingers. You were almost hypnotized by the rose's beauty, the depth of its color, and the gentle scent that drifted from it. You pulled back and shook your head, looking down the three paths and choosing the one to your far left.

Where am I?

You were clearly still in Wonderland, you just weren’t entirely sure where at the moment. This was a place that hadn’t been described to you. You did, however, remember the words of the doorknob: Stay away from the red roses. If it was only the hypnotic scent, you could understand why, but the Hatter had also warned you of the Queen. The further along you went, the more roses you saw, identical to the first. Their scent was getting stronger, seeming to pull you along the path. When it finally got too strong, you slipped your bag off your shoulder, rummaged through it for a piece of cloth, and then used your claws to cut off two pieces, which you used to plug your nose with. It mostly worked, but some of the scent got through even that.

The path twisted and turned through the hedges adorned with red roses. The silence was almost palpable, broken only by your footsteps along the cobblestone path. At least you could walk softly, having learned how to properly balance your weight on your feet with each step, quieting the sound. You also began feeling as though you were being watched but couldn’t seem to locate where someone might be able to watch you from. 

Taking yet another turn, you began hearing footsteps, although they sounded far away. They reminded you of how the card soldier boots sounded when they approached the tea party that first night. Only now, they were loud against the cobblestone path.

I have to get out of here.

You were well aware that if they found you, it wasn’t going to end well. There was a chance you could fight them if you needed to, but without your spear, you would have to get close, and you weren’t sure how many of them there were. Then you wondered how a playing card could be damaged. 

Do they bleed like other creatures? Are they just playing cards that were animated and a spell would have to take them down? Could I knock one out if I hit it hard enough?

Those and so many more questions went through your mind as you continued along the path. It was a maze of hedges and roses, or a labyrinth of them. You came across several dead ends, having to double back and choose a different fork, or a different way entirely when the place seemed to have rearranged itself. One large downside to being stuck in this labyrinth of rose hedges was that the scent you had been following wouldn’t have been strong enough to pierce through the roses' scent. Then there was the cotton you had stuffed in your nostrils, dulling the smell as much as possible. This place seemed to be one to leave someone confused or end up lost. Perhaps even frozen in place, hypnotized by the scent of the roses.

You were in no mood to get stuck here, so you continued on. The sounds of the card soldier boots could still be heard, and your ears twitched with each echo. You tried to take paths that led you away from the sound, and for a while, it seemed to work. However, the sounds got increasingly closer after only a minute or so.

Then, out of the blue, there was silence again. You stopped and looked in all directions, your ears twitching in an attempt to find some semblance of sound, but none came. Swallowing hard, you turned another corner, only to see half a dozen red card soldiers standing there, blocking your way. You turned, wanting to run in the other direction, but what was behind you now made that impossible.

Another half a dozen card soldiers stood where there had been an empty path. You wondered if they were here to possibly kill you, but you quickly shook that off. You had no intentions of getting killed, determined to find a way back to Earth, to the brothers, to those that were your new family.

“I was wondering how long it would take before I found you,” a deep voice from behind you spoke, and you recognized it instantly: the Knave. “Aren’t you an odd thing?”

Your tail flicked in agitation as you turned to face him. “I just want to leave,” you began, but three of the card soldiers grabbed you faster than you could react, and the Knave just smiled—a wicked, evil smile.

“The Queen will want to see this one,” he instructed the soldiers before turning from you and waving his arm at the hedge that was now in front of him.

As it moved out of his way, your eyes widened. It had revealed a straight path toward a castle, and you instantly knew where you were. You were on the Queen’s grounds, and all you could guess was that this was some sort of contraption to capture intruders. You also wondered how none of them seemed to be affected by the scent of the roses but weren’t about to ask.

The card soldiers held you firmly, their grip unyielding as they marched you out of the labyrinth. The Knave led the way, his figure tall and imposing against the contrasting greenery of the hedges. The walk out of the labyrinth wasn’t long, and things seemed to instantly change on the other side. The sky had grown almost dark, like twilight, in a blend of purples and blues, hinting at the waning daylight. There were more of the lamp posts with the floating lanterns, which were now lit, giving off an eerie glow on the cobblestone. Here, shadows seemed to flicker and dance just out of sight, giving the illusion of movement. Manicured rose bushes lined the strange, winding cobblestone path that was elaborate as it snaked its way toward a castle.

The castle loomed ahead, a gothic structure that combined the whimsical elements of Wonderland, with its white and red stones adorning every surface, with an almost gothic darkness that felt as though it loomed over the castle itself. The spires reached toward the sky, their silhouettes jagged and twisted. Yet, atop each one was a topper in the shape of a heart. If nothing else, it was definitely grand.

The Knave led the guards through a huge heart-shaped entrance made from the same bricks as the rest of the castle, with a guard tower on either side. If circumstances were different, you probably would have explored the place, being fascinated with its design. The atmosphere grew heavier, the air thick with anticipation and the faint, metallic scent of impending danger. Your ears twitched at the unfamiliar sounds of the place while your tail flicked with your growing concern.

The courtyard itself was well-kept. More rose bushes and floating lanterns adorned the area. You were in no position to get away or fight off this many soldiers, let alone the Knave. So, you focused on paying attention to your surroundings, planning a possible escape when the opportunity presented itself.

The soldiers tightened their grip as they ushered you forward, their expressions blank and unwavering. The Knave glanced back at you with a smug smile, his eye glinting with malice and amusement. The doors of the castle loomed large before you, intricately carved with scenes of the Queen’s reign, a reminder of her power and authority. Inside the castle was a contrast to the outside. Instead of being white and red, the stones were shades of gray, from light to almost black in places.

The grandeur of the castle's interior was overshadowed by its oppressive atmosphere. Tall, dark columns lined the hallways. In a checkered pattern, some were adorned with menacing gargoyles that seemed to watch your every move—the others were draped with red curtains that seemed to brighten the dark space.

Red velvet curtains and banners added a splash of color, but even they couldn’t dispel the gloom that pervaded the place. The chandeliers, dripping with crystals, cast a cold, harsh light. The path down the center of the columns lay a red rug with intricate patterns and designs, bordered with vining roses, a darker red than the rest of the rug.

As you were marched through the corridors, you couldn’t help but notice the portraits of the Queen in various regal poses, her stern gaze following you. Finally, you were brought to the throne room, a vast space with a black and white checkered floor and a high, vaulted ceiling. The throne itself was an elaborate creation of gold and red, sitting atop a raised dais.

Along either side of the column, adorning the walls were high, stain-glassed windows with identical designs of hears on vines, allowing the waning light of the evening to shine through. Between each window, a tall mirror bordered with a golden frame befitting her royal chamber. Behind the Queen’s throne were heavy red curtains, pulled back with golden ropes, revealing more stained glassed windows that stretched from almost the floor to just below the ceiling—each one with thin red curtains.

The Red Queen sat on her throne, her presence commanding the entire room. Her dress was a mix of crimson and black, adorned with hearts and lace, giving her an imposing and regal appearance. Her face, with its stark white makeup and exaggerated features, was a mask of both beauty and cruelty. You noticed she wasn’t wearing a crown atop her red curls, which you found odd, but so far, everything in Wonderland was odd in one way or another.

“Your Majesty,” the Knave began with a bow, his voice smooth and dripping with feigned respect, “we found this peculiar creature wandering through your labyrinth.” He explained, approaching her side before kissing the back of her hand that she’d outstretched for him.

The Queen’s eyes narrowed as she examined you, her gaze intense and unyielding, “What is it?” she demanded, her tone imperious and filled with curiosity.

“It, Your Majesty, is the intruder you sent me to find,” the Knave answered, turning his gaze to you as the Queen continued to study you.

All you had to go off of were things you’d watched on Earth when it came to royalty, as you’d never encountered it in any other dimension. Well, not to this extent, anyway. You wondered if perhaps you could outsmart her and find a way to escape.

“That doesn’t tell me what it is,” The Queen snapped, her gaze still on you, but she was clearly annoyed at the Knave for his lack of explanation.

“I am a Traveler, Your Majesty, and I would bow, but the soldiers are holding onto me very tightly,” you explained in quite a respectful tone.

The Queen raised an eyebrow, “Let her go,” she stated plainly, but there was still authority in her words, and the soldiers released you. The Knave could only watch in annoyance.

You kept the smirk of triumph from making it to your lips as you bowed before the Queen, keeping your gaze from meeting hers until you stood straight again. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” you replied with gratitude.

“Now, what exactly is a Traveler, and why do you have cat features but also look human,” she inquired quite curiously.

This just might work to my advantage.

“I come from another world, Your Majesty. All of my kind have these features, but I am a little special. Not all of my kind can travel to different worlds. Only special ones can. When I came upon your world, I was only seeking the doorway to move to the next world,” you explained to her, keeping that respectful tone and posture.

It was easy to see that the Queen was quite intrigued by you, but the Knave was getting quickly frustrated at the Queen’s lack of command to either remove your head or lock you in a dungeon. He stayed quiet, though, as he knew his place, and it was never to question the Queen, or she’d have his head removed. At the moment, you were just thankful you had the Queen’s curiosity and not her wrath.

The Queen’s gaze remained fixed on you, her curiosity piqued. “A Traveler, you say?” she mused, leaning forward slightly on her throne. “And what makes you think you can just wander into my realm and disrupt my order?”

You maintained your respectful stance, careful not to let any sign of defiance show. “I apologize for any disruption, Your Majesty. It was not my intention to intrude. I merely seek to find my way to the next world, as my journey requires it.” She really didn’t need to know the details, and it didn’t seem as though she’d understand them anyway.

Her expression softened slightly, though her eyes remained sharp. “A fascinating tale. And yet, you have found yourself in my labyrinth, a place meant to trap trespassers. Tell me, Traveler, what makes you so special that you can traverse worlds?”

Of course, she’d ask you something like that, and you’d now have to come up with some sort of explanation she’d understand. So, for a moment, you pondered all sorts of explanations before finally giving her an answer. “It has to do with something we’re born with that no one can see. It’s deep inside and can never be removed or taken away, as it is more of a yearning than anything else.”

The Knave, still standing beside the Queen, couldn’t hold back any longer. “Your Majesty, surely this… creature cannot be trusted. We should lock her up until we know more about her intentions.” The Queen shot him a withering glare, silencing him instantly. “I will decide what to do with our guest, Knave,” she said coldly. Turning her attention back to you, she asked, “And what proof do you have of this ability? Can you demonstrate it?”

You took a deep breath, knowing that showing any sign of weakness could be dangerous. “I cannot demonstrate it here, Your Majesty. Traveling between worlds requires specific conditions and a certain amount of preparation. However, I am willing to help you in any way I can to prove my intentions are sincere.” 

Her eyes narrowed, considering your words. “Help me, you say? And what exactly can you offer to the Queen of Hearts, who already has everything she desires?”

That one made you think. What could you offer her, as you had nothing you felt like parting with? It wasn’t like your senses would help her. The scent of her roses had been overpowering in the labyrinth, even if that wasn’t the case now. Then, you got an idea.

“It is true, Your Majesty, I don’t have anything to offer, not in the way of riches or items. I could offer my services, as my senses are better than your Knaves or the soldiers that guard you. I can hear things they cannot,” you explained to her, hoping she wouldn’t take it as a threat of any kind. She leaned back, a smile playing on her lips, “Intriguing indeed. Very well, Traveler. I will grant you the opportunity to prove your worth. But, be warned, any attempt to deceive me will be met with the severest of punishments.”

You bowed deeply, relief washing over you, “Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint you.”

The Queen nodded, satisfied for the moment, “Good. Now, Knave, see to it that our gues is given quarters. I will decide her fate after I have seen what she can offer.”

The Knave’s expression was a mixture of frustration and resignation, but he bowed and gestured for you to follow him. As you were led away, you couldn’t help but feel a small spark of hope. You had bought yourself some time, and now, you needed to figure out how to use it to your advantage. 

----------------------------------------- Chapter 17 - Wonderland pt. 4

Link to the series Masterlist.

A/N: If you'd like to get in on the Dimensional Traveling, go to this link and leave me with a comment, or several, with as much or as little detail about the dimension you'd like the Traveler to end up in. If you'd like to have something specific happen, share that too. I'll make sure that you get credit for the idea you shared in the chapter in which your dimension is featured. I'd love to have as many readers involved as possible. I think this could be a lot of fun.

As always, if you'd like to be tagged, let me know and I'll add you to the tag list. If I missed anyone, please let me know.

Tag List: @littlemadamred @mxltifxnd0m @foxyjwls007 @supernaturalfreakout @roseblue373

[ceoofhelaegon]

I wanna talk about our Dreamer Queen Helaena' s abilities.

She can foresee life changing events but it is implied she doesn't fully understand them...or can't fully articulate them and thus why no one in the family pays her any mind.

So, I'm starting to wonder if what she sees is actual people or just symbols.

"Beware the beast beneath the boards".

She uses figurative language. And when the event itself arrives, she is super stunned by it. She did not fully expect it, it seemed.

Many haters have said if she can forsee the future, why could she not warn her family directly? Well, I now think it's because she doesn't see literal images of people. But more of gets a vibe and sees imagery she can't fully understand. "Dragons of flesh weaving dragons of thread." etc

This is very different from, say, the rumored witch Alys Rivers. Who is said to have seen Daemon in the flames, waiting for Aemond near God's Eye.

So, if Helaena was to kill herself because of having a vision of any family member, to me it would be more of she felt the vibe rather than saw clearly what happened to them.

She might for instance sense, or be troubled by a vision of Maelor dying.

Many might end up confusing Helaena's unease for a spell of madness.

And when Maelor's death is confirmed by Mysaria when she comes to her chambers to tell her, Helaena is broken.

This might confirm that she doesn't exactly 'see' the people she loves in distress in her visions and will only be driven to action when she's told what's happened.

I'm interested to see how they'll explain this.

But what do you think? Sorry for dropping a whole ass post.

Oh yes, I fully believe that she was actually surprised when she saw Meleys.

You know that feeling you get when you finally understand something?

“OH, that’s what you’re talking about!!! Thinking back it was so clear to see, how come I didn’t understand it before?”

That is the vibe I get from Helaena, because why would she see a dragon as a beast? She has Dreamfyre, she loves her dragon, she probably has seen Meleys before too, there’s no reason for a Targaryen to see a dragon as a beast.

But you know who does? People who are afraid of them, i.e the smallfolk and even her own mother, Alicent Hightower.

So her visions are purely metaphorical, in my opinion, Viserys’ also were but he knew how to interpret them or maybe since he’s not neurodivergent like Helaena, he could see them more clearly.

Off topic but I loved seeing Alicent pregnant with Helaena and he’s actively losing the ability of having dragon dreams. My HC is that Helaena could have dragon dreams since she was a baby, which is why she cried so much. 😭

They could play with this a lot, her visions get slightly clearer but since she’s in so much grief, people around her wouldn’t listen because they would assume her words are because of the grief.

Or, she straight knows what’s going to happen and gets even more grief stricken because she can’t help. Having dragon dreams and having such a deep grief? It’s heartbreaking.

There’s so much that they can do, not sure how they’ll utilise it but hopefully we’ll get lots of our Queen and seeing how she navigates her dragon dreams.

[panda-writes-kpop]

Gahyeon ~ Cheshire

A/N: Hi guys, girls, and non-binary pearls! Happy Birthday to one of my favorite maknaes, so you all know what that means - another part to this story. Also, a quick side note, I will be skipping over Dami in the series for now because she has her own special fic that's coming out on her birthday, plus it makes more sense for her to come later in the series. 😉

TW: Spoilers for the first part, I mean, it's right off the bat so I'd check out the first part if you don't want to be confused, elements of horror and dark fantasy, Gahyeon's kind of creepy in this but it's more so because of the nature her character than the actual personality she displays, angst-y flashback that will probably confuse you 😶, morally grey characters

Summary: After a stunning discovery, Yoohyeon helps guide you through a strange and unusual land that you've only heard of in fantasy tales. While taking a path through the forest, you discover another resident - one that's more inclined to help you, although her true motivations have yet to be revealed.

♡ Masterlist ♡ 》 》 》 ♧ AU Masterlist ♧

“Alice?”

You repeat the name back to Kim Yoohyeon.

“Like Alice in Wonderland?”

She chuckles as her black waves of hair bounce with her shoulders.

“You are in Wonderland, my dear. Won’t you come with me?”

A warm smile, and an extended hand.

Where am I again?

“Wonderland?”

“The place where everything and nothing exists at once. Isn’t that so… wonderful?”

Kim Yoohyeon laughs at her own joke, and you stare at her hand.

“Why me? Why am I Alice, Kim Yoohyeon?”

“My name is Yoohyeon,” She corrects, “and that is for me to know, and for you to find out.”

She speaks in riddles and tongues unknown to me.

“So… what am I to do now?”

“You can either discover Wonderland on your own, or you can come with me.”

Her hand is still out, and you sigh before taking it.

“Lead the way.”

The colors swirl in your vision as Yoohyeon leads you through a thickened forest.

The dark you missed dearly comes back to you, and purple trees with green forestry are the only things in your vision.

“Where are you taking me?”

Yoohyeon does not stop, but she ponders your question.

“Somewhere you’ve never been before.”

“I-” You pause before continuing. “I don’t think I quite understand.”

She shrugs before continuing on.

“No one does, but it’s alright. I’ll lead you back home.”

“Home?”

Your voice is hopeful, but your hopes are quickly squandered by Yoohyeon’s answer.

“My home.”

You release a breath you didn’t know you were holding as you continue to travel through the forest.

Purple and green is all that you see for a while, until a flash of red comes into your vision.

Red.

Redrum?

Red, the color of fiery passion.

Why did I see red before now?

You look to your left.

Nothing.

You look to your right.

Still more darkness, but there is a line of light.

A line of light shaped in the way of a smile.

A smile?

You blink; it’s gone.

“Yoohyeon?”

The black hair, her familiarity - Yoohyeon is gone as well.

Huh?

Red again.

Where is that color coming from?

A giggle comes from all around you, and light flickers in your vision.

The light… flickers?

In a forest, light is filtered, but it never flickers.

What is happening?

Your confusion causes you to turn around.

A girl is there, but it’s not Yoohyeon.

No, this girl’s hair is bright red.

Didn’t Yoohyeon have bright hair in one of my dreams? Is this another version of Yoohyeon?

This girl’s shorter, and her unnerving smile brings youthfulness to her figure.

She tilts her head at you, and you continue to stare back at her.

What is her game?

A snap of her fingers causes the world to spin, and you rapidly look around as the landscape shifts into… a coffee shop?

The people around you pay no mind that the two of you appeared out of nowhere, and the red-haired girl smiles before taking a seat at a nearby table.

You continue to stare in disbelief as she chuckles.

“Is this not comfortable to you? Would you rather I take you someplace else?”

“I… I don’t know what to say.”

You blink before taking a seat across from her.

Lee Gahyeon.

“Lee Gahyeon?”

How did I know that?

Her eyes meticulously study you.

“Yes, and you are-”

“Alice, or to you, I am.” You interrupt. “And who are you?”

“The Cheshire cat.” Her sleek smile does remind you of a cat, but her eyes and face shape resemble a fox more than anything.

“You have powers, but they aren’t related to Wonderland, are they?” You gesture to the world around you, and Gahyeon laughs again.

“We still are in Wonderland, Alice.” Gahyeon reminds you. “I just have taken you to a different part of it - a place of unlimited imagination. A place where I have the power to speak with you.”

“A Cheshire cat cannot speak in the normal constraints of Wonderland? Doesn’t that, like, break the purpose of Wonderland?”

“Yes, but I do what is required of me. My role is important to the survivability of Wonderland, as is yours.” Her eyes widen as she quickly backtracks. “No, I didn't mean to say such things, you cannot understand that I-”

“What do you mean, Gahyeon?”

She sighs before shaking your head.

“I cannot tell you what I mean. You have to find the truth for yourself.”

Her fingers snap again, and you’re transferred back into Wonderland again.

“Gahyeon, I-”

She holds a finger to her mouth before winking at you.

A flash of red hair signals her departure, and you turn back to see Yoohyeon shaking her head at you.

“You’ve been staring at that tree forever. Come on, we have more ground to cover!”

You simply smile before allowing Yoohyeon to continue to lead you through the forest.

The rules of Wonderland are interesting, to say the least.

~

“Yoohyeon?”

Your voice is soft, a sweet morning call to a woman who feels worlds away from you.

“Don’t call me like that; it only makes this harder.”

“You don’t have to do this, you know.”

She shakes her head, and your shoulders sink.

“Do you think anything would have changed if we tried again?”

She sighs.

“I’m going, whether you like it or not.”

~

As you continue to walk through the forest, you see Gahyeon standing in a clearing that you pass.

She winks at you before quietly following behind you.

“Yoohyeon? Are there any other… residents of Wonderland? Where might I meet them?”

“Yes and no, as I have answered your other questions.” Yoohyeon calmly says as you continue to walk through the forest.

The forest… begins to thin out?

It ends.

The colors blend back into your vision, but you notice a lack of red in the world around you.

You look back.

She’s there, awaiting you in the forest.

Gahyeon?

She steps out of the forest, and her figure disappears except for a creepy smile.

“I’m watching you, even if you can’t see me.”

[alucior]

people i want to get to know better

@aether-biome probably but who doesn't like more breadcrubs of small things to know about eachother :p

1. three ships:

atm its probably like Wenclair from wednesday cause they are a vibe and I'm having fun writing for them. I'm having some fun with it.

Then we also have like Smugbug but that's less of a ship more two charaters I'm lowkey obsessed with and while Lisa wouldn't be caught death in any kinda relationship they work well together. it also helps that my fave fic of this ship she spends most of the time inside of taylors head and dreams. it's kidna odd but you know, I'm obsessed so we have it at that.

and last maybe like Bellice, cause bella definantly could do better than the discoball of sadness she ended up with. and honestly Alice got two hands for her and Jasper. it be fun if bella's power also made her kinda invisible to her future vision and it can just be highjinks

2. first ever ship:

I can't really remember back to like the late 00's but I think that I started out with Fleurmione all they way back then. Even now like who doesn't like two smart as fuck witches compete and then work together later on. like also while the french on most works is just accented english but it's kinda funny so I'm also taking that.

fanfic definantly made most of that ship work as the cannon even then was rather lacking and upon reflection fucked up.

3. last song:

on my phone it would have been "Out Of The Frying Pan And Into The Fire" from the bat out of hell musical. I watched it live a couple years ago live and got nostaligc about it earlier today.

4. last movie:

I think it was like the seventh fast & furious movie, maybe the sixth. it's pretty fun if you turn off any critical thinking and just take it as they serve it.

5. currently reading:

For book it would be Gideon the 9th but I've been on that for a while and my focus doesn't seem to be allowing me to finish it but I'm trying! for fanfic it's something from ted lasso between him and Trent cause I binged that show in a week and they also live in my head now.

6. currently watching:

C3E53 of critical role, aka post-applebee solstice day two. chetney getting reaquaninted with his ex and shits still fucked on exandria.

7. currently consuming:

that, and also like hermitcraft content from a couple of the folk there, including cleo's feverdream of a limited life episode which was quite fun. and like a couple podcasts cause they release on monday instead of wednesday like all the other ones for some reason.

8. currently craving:

pizza, like on a deep level I want to put a billion slices in my mouth. or like any bread in a warm form with some cheese like give it to me I'mma eat it all.

tagging @wolf-thecontradictorysentence (cause to be honest your pfp made me aware of gideon in the first place and opend up the internet to some wild shit that is entertaining as fuck) @always-undermining (dog! they seem nice) and @shut-up-cupcake (still reminds me of carmilla and that was a good time)

[lowgloried]

𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒: 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄 & 𝐇𝐄𝐁𝐄 (✦ 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐊 )

She looks beautiful, is all Alice can think as she stands among the phantom party-goers, all out of focus except for her. They haven’t met, but this goddess is approaching her like they’re acquainted. From across the room to by her side in a heartbeat, the other woman is leaning in— Alice’s cheeks burn— and she thinks she hears her say something nice about Alice’s gown, but she has no idea what she’s wearing, she’s only aware of the warm kiss that’s placed on her cheek and the hands giving her arm a light squeeze in greeting. Alice blinks, a polite smile playing at her lips when Hebe pulls back.

[volturialice]

what is alice's style/aesthetic for you?

oooh good question, anon! can you believe I have never discussed this ever before here in my entire career at volturialice industries

possibly because I'm pretty clueless when it comes to fashion I pretty much dress like a post- plane crash yellowjackets character

so although this question would probably be best answered via images, I'm just gonna use my Words like a loser

I've seen a lot of takes on how alice would dress, ranging from "yes good I agree" to "is it crack? is that what you smoke, do you smoke crack?" but lemme discuss some Fashion Factors first.

#1) Midnight Sun garbage - let's be honest, the passage in MS about how alice (and all the cullens) only wear long sleeved turtlenecks in beige and khaki in order to "blend in" is fucking hilarious. can you think of a better way to look like a freakish fundie cult?? @ smeyer your middle-aged mormon is showing and I'm embarrassed for you

#2) actually fitting in - if the cullen kids were actually concerned with blending in with their human peers, they'd dress like actual american high school students—ie, mostly-casual fast fashion in youthful styles that are trendy but not too trendy. if you go by the 2000s trends of when the books/films are set, alice and rosalie should be dressing in henleys and layered hollister tanks like jessica stanley. they should not be wearing the chanel boots.

at least, not to school.

but, as characterized via their actions rather than lip service, the cullens are not actually making anything more than a token effort to blend in, so I'm throwing that factor out the window.

#3) this fandom has latched WAY too hard onto the word "pixie" and they're flat-out Wrong - if I had a nickel for every time I heard fanon describe alice as a "manic pixie dream girl," I would be rich enough to buy 10 yellow porsches. instead, I only have psychic damage. that's not what "manic pixie dream girl" means!! nor is it what smeyer meant by "pixie-like!" she just meant "really fucking petite," y'all (and maybe "energetic.") alice is way way wayyyy too conventional to be an MPDG, both in style and attitude. that's also not even slightly the role she plays in the story, but I digress. it's one of my pet peeves do not come around here with that nonsense

my actual thoughts

if you were a fashion-obsessed superpowered centenarian immortal permanently frozen as a 4'10" “pixie-like” teenage girl, how would you dress? in cutesy “fairycore” that made you look like a child playing dress-up? somehow I doubt it.

I know I would dress to counteract that. pick styles that made me look taller, more mature and worldly, kind of edgy and sleek and bold. I see alice’s style as being very feminine, but not very organic. the few times her outfits get described in the books (“a black satin dress with geometric cutouts” to prom and “a sequined tank top and red leather pants” to the grad party), they’re daring and revealing, especially by smeyer standards. she’s the one who packs bella edgy honeymoon lingerie, so clearly she’s got some expertise in that area, too. I also think she’s less about trends—how many of those has she lived through? and more about experimentation.

so if she doesn’t dress like a mormon cultist, or an indie manic pixie dream girl, or an actual 2000s human teen, who does she dress like?

hear me out: alice dresses like she goes to Euphoria High School. maddy perez toned down with a dash of cher horowitz preppiness on occasion. of course, unlike Euphoria High School, Forks High probably has an actual dress code, so she’d have to work within that, at least on weekdays. but I think she’s up to the challenge.

I also think alice dresses very strategically, depending on her visions and personal agenda. like, I have this one dress that makes me look like I’ve never done anything wrong ever in my life, and this one pair of boots that make me look like I just did bath salts and burned down an orphanage, and I deploy them depending on how I wanna be Perceived on a given day. so in alice’s case, she’s choosing outfits with an eye toward what she knows she’ll be up to later, and that’s gonna determine stuff like how much she blends in vs stands out, whether she’s trying to look young and innocent or mature and authoritative or dazzlingly seductive, etc.

anyway, I’m sure I’m not the only one with Opinions about this! if you guys have specific aesthetics or inspo or whatever that gives off alice vibes, drop it below or just like, show me whenever. I’m always interested in how other people see her!

[lunastwilightblog]

The Volturi are the good guys and Bella is the up-and-coming villain

I’m on my computer for this as I know it might be long, but bear with me (insert Emmett pun here) 🐻

So wait - the Volturi are the good guys? But didn’t SM write them as the bad guys? 

Well, yes, SM did write Aro and co in as the antagonists of the series, but bear in mind that originally she didn’t write most of New Moon to happen, or the entirety of Eclipse. There was Twilight and Forever Dawn, which we’ll sadly never read. Her vision of the Volturi and their role as the evil villains who wanted to separate Edward and Bella became distorted as she had to flesh them out more and show their role as the governing body.

Then she wrote the Illustrated Guide and revealed their history and the horrors of the world without their authority; with the Romanians being as brutal as they were, the constant terror humans lived with and the fracturing of the world into many unstable and violent vampire-ruled empires (plus with way more children of the moon running about, probably as far west as - at least - central Europe). 

When the Volturi were coming to power they were laughed at with the idea of their law, a significant reason the Romanians didn’t take them seriously. But now they are extremely popular.

This isn’t just because Aro created vampires to go out and sing his praises. Volturi rule has been a blessing for both humans and vampires.

For humans it’s the obvious: they are not living their lives in fear, they are not subject to massacres (except if caught in newborn warzones), their population has been able to grow and expand, modern medicine and technology have been able to flourish, society is much more stable, people need to flee areas much less (if ever) so they can stay put and complete research/live to meet their grandkids/etc, and not have to serve a vampire in the local castle. 

For vampires it’s actually quite similar: with the human population growing to as large as it is today when at the time the Volturi came to power it was (estimated to be) only 210 million globally, vampires have been able to grow to even greater numbers also, and feed more often than before. If a vampire 2000 years ago killed 5 people in a town it would be an outrage the humans would certainly have noticed, however kill 5 people in a place as big as London, LA, Paris, Singapore, Bucharest... it would likely not be noticed very much, if at all (depending on who you kill).  

Humans like to measure things in percentages. Those 5 people is a huge number to a town of 2000 - that’s 0.25% of the whole town’s population. It would be talked about, and relatives of the dead/missing would all know each other. Yet kill those 5 in a city of 12 million (as is London), that’s only 0.00004167% of the population. And chances are, the dead humans’ families don’t even live in the area (or could be in another country entirely) never mind know each other to realise there was a mass murder.

So vampires, as long as they hide from humans, as is the only law (besides no immortal children or consorting with werewolves), they have a lot more freedom nowadays than they did before the times of the Volturi. There are so many people that they can easily get lost in a crowd, move internationally, and not be pressured for allegiance by a local vampire warlord (before meeting Aro, Caius ran afoul of the Romanians, and he barely escaped with his life).

With there only being one authority, and one that does not interfere with your day-to-day life, is a dream come true. As long as they don’t break this law that is very easy to abide by, they can do whatever the f*** they want.

Carlisle would have never been able to get a job as a doctor if he was known to be a vampire, nor could any of the Cullens have entered education of any form. They’d be stuck sneaking into libraries after closing, and googling. Edward would have never met Bella (neither would Edward’s ancestors have immigrated to America - in fact, Europeans may have never discovered America in the first place. The whole Cullen coven aside from Carlisle might never have been born).

So what the Volturi have done (despite many of them having not-so-savoury personalities corrupted by hunger for power or violence) is bring peace to the world, get rid of tyrants, increase the food supply, allow a greater amount of freedom, and the first kind of trials and justice ever seen in their world. Sure, Aro uses trials to find new talent, but it’s still a world away from before.

Which leads me on to the events of Breaking Dawn, and Bella.

So. Maybe controversial, but: the Volturi did absolutely nothing wrong in Breaking Dawn.

They turned up thinking a serious crime had been committed. They stopped to talk (which Vladimir certainly never would have done!), considered the evidence and processed new discoveries and discussed their legality, decided there was no crime to punish, and left with only the informant dead. Yes, Irina had been innocent in the way that she strongly had believed she had been telling the truth and her memories must have presented good enough evidence to Aro initially, but their witnesses had come to see justice being served, and in the vampire world that is execution. Aro could have continued with prosecuting the Cullens for something he now knew was false, or execute Irina instead.

(Side note: she did kind of deserve it too. She didn’t bother to check her evidence, she wanted revenge for Laurent’s death so her accusation wasn’t coming from a place of good intentions but instead she was willing to have her friends and family killed for Laurent. She was also forcing Aro into a position where he had to prepare himself to kill Carlisle, whom we know he cherishes. Remember also that Aro turned down Laurent’s application to the Guard because he’d followed the Romanians for a while, so he won’t have been entirely trusting of Irina anyway, her having been Laurent’s mate).

Anyway. Onto Bella.

So Aro’s impression of Bella after New Moon seems to be positive. Why? Well, through Edward’s thoughts he saw that Bella was able to keep The Secret. He had heard how much she wanted to be a vampire. In addition, Marcus showed him how strong Edward and Bella’s bond is. Both of them knew, that if E & B’s love was almost as strong as Marcus and Didyme’s, that no matter what Edward currently said or thought about Bella being turned it was invalid. If Bella were dying, he would turn her for sure, which happened. Then the obvious, that Edward had already proven he could not live without her.

Bella was trustworthy and probably going to be turned. Alice showing proof was just a formality so Aro could say he had evidence rather than admit he’d just made assumptions (and Alice having had that vision may act as proof that his assumption was correct).

Therefore, from Aro’s perspective, Bella was a human who wanted to become immortal so much that she would rather die than not, and she was already following his law. She was no issue. 

Yet.

Bella, knowing the law, should have been very grateful that she was left alive. Edward not being executed and she not being killed or forcibly turned on the spot... Aro had been very nice to them.

And again, in BD, he was very nice to them. Some people will inevitably say that he was weak in not killing them all. I mean, they stood beside Vladimir and Stefan! They have an army of wolves fundamentally opposed to vampires! Aro has lost Good Reputation Points by sparing the Cullens. He held as close to a trial as vampire society has ever had, and rightfully pronounced the Cullens innocent.

So shouldn’t Bella like him? He has spared her life and the lives of her loved ones more than one, and proven that he can be spoken to and conversed with properly and is willing to admit he was wrong. With Aro, we know it’s important to look more at what he does than what he says, and what he has done is be very kind to the Cullens (though who knows about the future?).

Yet Bella was creeped out by him when they met and interpreted him as a threat to Edward’s life. As she loves Edward, she’s always going to be of this mind, and first impressions are important.

Vampires are stuck with the mindsets they had when turned. An example of this is Esme, who was turned after her baby died and she tried to die too. She is permanently feeling maternal. She was turned only days after giving birth. Before knowing this, Bella even describes her as maternal and the mother of the family. Huilen also has a lot of care for Nahuel, being his aunt, because of her love for Pire, and while she was dying, Pire begged Huilen to raise him. Joham does not seem to have this parental love for his son and daughters; he never really knew Pire and was never affected by her love for Nahuel, and did not meet him until years after he was born. He’s only genetically a parent. He doesn’t have the protective mindset. When he was turned, he was a curious scientist (in fact, it was even why his creator turned him). He sees the world and people as things to study.

Anyway.

When Bella was turned, all she was thinking about was Renesmee. She begged Edward to get the baby out and didn’t care for her own life.

And she will be forever stuck in this high alert, must-protect-my-baby mode. Then for weeks as a newborn vampire, she was thinking of Aro as a threat and preparing to fight him. Compounding that, he was a threat to her daughter.

Both of these things will have had a significant effect on who she will have become after her newborn phase ended. It is impossible for Bella to ever like Aro now, even if she tried.

Her dislike of him, and willingness to fight against him, will be forever engrained in her brain.

This is dangerous.

Bella found the Romanians weird, but she didn’t dislike them per se. She would probably be willing to stand with them against the Volturi again.

We can take an educated guess and assume that sometime they will rise up again - and Bella might stand with them (though I highly doubt any of the other Cullens would).

Bella was not a problem for Aro until she stood beside Vladimir and Stefan. 

Here is this vampire who can block most of his coven’s gifts, stuck with an intense dislike of him, who he has seen with his own eyes stand with his enemies. He has every right to be nervous now. Her love for her mate is almost as strong as Marcus’s bond to Didyme - how strong is her bond to Renesmee? Likely more. Aro knows the threat in that. He knows that Bella may be viewing him in the way Marcus feels when he thinks of taking revenge on whoever killed Didyme.

Nobody wants the Romanians back in power. Those who lived under their reign and those who have heard first hand stories told to them all know very well that life under Vladimir would be horrible, brutal, awful for all beside his close coven members (though considering he had a very large coven that was often squabbling amongst itself, it was probably miserable for a lot of them too).

But Bella is young. She has no memory of the world before the Volturi, and knows no one with first hand experience of that world other than the Volturi. She will have heard that it was horrible, but she has no emotional or personal connection to the near-ancient past, and vampires who lived during that time are disappearing. No one lives forever.

Then, she is American. Like Garrett, she values freedom, and the Volturi are the only oppressive vampire force either of them has ever known. Despite them being the least oppressive in vampire history, Bella and Garrett haven’t experienced the alternative. They are a government that is at times harsh, is corrupt, and executes people. They go to war and they obliterate their enemies. Bella doesn’t see that the Volturi is the least bad government her world is ever going to get, and that they’ve granted her so much freedom. She is unable to see that because, in her youth, she has nothing to compare them against.

By standing against the Volturi, Bella isn’t just standing against Aro, Caius, and Marcus. She is standing against the peace they have brought between vampires, against humans living without fear, against modern civilisation itself. She stands a representative of the next world order, and Aro can sense it.

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

how do you think edward would react if he was in the same truck-baseball game time loop bella was in (either if bella was in it or wasn't, whatever you prefer)

For reference, that one time Bella's stuck in a time loop.

Are we asking to make Edward even crazier than usual? Well, that will surely go... interesting places. Let's do it.

Edward In the Loop With Bella

Loop One

There Edward is, facing off with James, Victoria, and Laurent, gearing up for the fight of his life as he realizes exactly what it is James wants and is planning and then...

Then he blinks, he's in the parking lot, Bella's about to be hit by a van.

Edward panics, desperately saves her life, and has no idea what's happening. Did he... hallucinate those months? Were those his lovesick dreams of having Bella for himself?

Of course they were, he says as he drives to the hospital in Bella's car, sobbing as he listens to George Michael's Careless Whisper. For Bella, this bright, beautiful, angelic girl, could never love a beast such as him. He desperately tries to put his love for Bella out of his mind, for it can never be, what they had was a dream and nothing more.

BEEEEEELLLLLLLAAAAAA!

Bella ruins this noble, romantic, tragedy in two seconds when Edward enters the hospital and goes, "You're not going to believe me, but I'm from the fuuuuuuutuuuuuuure!"

Well, Edward doesn't actually like that, makes all of this a little anticlimactic. He questions her extensively, tries to convince her that she's just hallucinating, she hit her head pretty hard, but eventually gives up. Their memories seem to match up exactly, he and Bella are actually from the future.

Edward's not even sure why he's disappointed himself, yet, somehow he is.

He goes home and gets to be the one to tell the Cullens it's all fine, he's from the future, Bella is too, they're not going to kill her because Edward's in love with her, can we skip this?

The Cullens stare, Alice really doesn't know how she feels about this, but we get a similar reaction to canon. Where Carlisle says, "Alright then... I guess this means no moving."

Edward sighs, for the first time, he doesn't really feel like going to Bella's that night. He instead sits at the piano, playing Chop Sticks, wondering why he feels so despondent.

Bella loves him, he loves Bella, they're dating, he has everything he ever wanted. Why isn't he happy?

He gets to school and Bella's very clingy and seems to want to pick off exactly where they left off. She wants Edward to sit with her at lunch, she's talking about visiting the Cullens as soon as possible, she wants to go on a real date.

And Edward realizes that he doesn't have to battle with himself to stay away from Bella anymore, he's done that. He doesn't have to rescue her in Port Angeles, Bella's not going. He's not taking her to the meadow, he's done that too.

Edward's been there and done that for all of this. This isn't even a chance to redo his mistakes, if he'd really made any, because all the things he'd want to do again involve Bella who came back with him.

Edward throws himself into dating Bella, trying to shake himself loose from this strange sense of apathy. Bella doesn't even seem to notice the difference in him, something in Edward... grows a little cold.

He finds himself to returning to his plans of how best to nobly leave her. Something he always acknowledged he would do, but before looked at with reluctance. Now he actively schemes when and how it should occur.

He should wait until summer, that will be easiest on the family for the pretext of "moving", and that way he can go to Prom with Bella. She'll get over him quickly, move on with her human life, while Edward watches her from the shadows.

Bella finally starts to notice that Edward is... distant. She tries to confront him, ask what she's doing wrong, and desperately throws herself into the relationship. That just makes it worse for Edward.

The pair start fighting, Edward insists Bella does not come to the baseball game, and just then they loop again.

Loop Two

Edward's back in the parking lot, Bella's about to be hit by a van. Edward once again heroically saves her, but he feels as if he's going through the motions.

In the hospital room, neither Bella nor Edward say a word to one another, both realize exactly what has happened. After a moment of silence, Edward suggests that, perhaps, what they need is distance.

Just a few weeks apart.

Bella says nothing.

Edward consults Alice, telling her what's been happening to him, and Alice tells him that as far as she can tell nothing is wrong with time itself. Her visions work as usual, it's just that Edward and Bella's decisions have changed.

Though, not the outcomes, Alice confirms that either Bella will become a vampire or she'll die. Alice suggests, hesitantly, that if this keeps happening perhaps Bella has to be a vampire to stop this.

Perhaps that's why Alice only sees two futures. Because any future where Bella remains human, they loop.

Edward refuses to accept this in a rage. This, this cannot happen, he will loop for all eternity rather than turn Bella! HE IS NOT A TOY OF FATE!

There's a fire in Edward now, he returns through Bella's bedroom window, and restarts their passionate romance. Bella's thrilled, the love of her life has come back for her, she cries tears of joy.

For months, Bella and Edward are back in the honeymoon stage of their romance.

They loop again.

Loop Three

Bella points out that they're still looping. This is... starting to get weird. Maybe they should figure out solutions to this?

Edward says THIS IS FINE, with Alice's words ringing in the back of his mind. Bella can never know.

Too bad for him, this is Bella's first guess. Maybe, if she becomes a vampire, somehow the loops will stop. EDWARD WILL NEVER TARNISH HER LIKE THAT.

Bella is very hurt, and upset, and asks if Edward will seriously spend forever, trapped in these few months, unable to move forward rather than turn her.

Edward desperately tries to convince her that these months are wonderful. You love being trapped in this timeframe, Bella.

He romances her harder than ever, only this time, Bella's the one that's not thrilled.

She and Edward have no future. Edward would literally rather be trapped in this utterly absurd scenario, never able to move forward with their lives, rather than turn her into a vampire.

A lot of fights happen. In desperation, Edward proves that they can move forward, that this endless loop is what vampirism itself is like, where time ceases to have meaning. He proposes to Bella, they will marry.

Bella flat out says no, she doesn't want to marry, and god marry while she's still in highschool? Can she even legally get married right now?

Edward... did not expect that answer.

The pair end up on and off fighting up until the loop happens.

Loop Four

This time, distracted by his own ire, Edward forgets to stop the van. Bella is crushed, Edward and the family have to hightail it out of there to not slurp her blood off the asphalt, and Edward is horrified.

He... murdered Bella. She's dead, because he allowed petty arguments to distract him. Oh god.

To his horror, the loop keeps going, and he lives in terror that it will proceed past the baseball game. What if Bella's dead forever? What if, rather than turn her, the only other way out of the loop was her death?

Edward's an utter mess, clawing at the walls, and the family doesn't understand at all because Bella Swan is simply a girl who had a tragic death.

To Edward's horrified relief, he loops.

Loop N

Bella remembers Edward failed to save him. She does not blame him for it, but Edward certainly blames himself and there's now... a wall between them that wasn't there.

Nonetheless, they try again. This time, they'll go back to the basics.

Edward eats her in the meadow.

They loop.

Edward keeps accidentally eating her.

It's horrible and then he realizes... it doesn't matter. It never lasts, he's a monster yes, but he always was one. It seems he's doomed to eat Bella Swan. And at least he knows she'll be here tomorrow.

And if he's damned anyway then he might as well enjoy it.

He starts eating her on purpose.

Soon, they get a little routine down.

Bella nearly gets hit by a van, Edward saves her life, they go to the hospital, Edward drags her into a closet, eats her, then throws her corpse out the window and tells Carlisle she committed suicide.

Such a tragic end.

Bella starts desperately trying to save herself, but it's all over so quick, now her life is endlessly getting eaten by Edward.

Given this loop seems to be infinitely long, and thus all remote possibilities will eventually occur, there will be a timeline where Edward accidentally turns Bella into a vampire.

However, Edward can't do math, so he hasn't figured that out yet.

In the meantime, now that he's let go of all morality, he's having a great time.

... And it's probably best we leave Edward looping on his own for another post. That got long.

[little-diable]

Will you be my date? - Jasper Hale (fluff)

I’ve just found those types of imagines (for example ”deep end” by @sdicapriox totally obsessed with that one) and I wanted to try my own version. So, here is “5 times I’ve asked you to prom and the time you said “yes””. Enjoy my loves. xxx

(Credit to gif owner) 

i. Running late

Rain was patting against the windshield of (y/n)s car, a frown was prominent on her features, hands were tightly gripping the steering wheel, she was running late, again. (Y/n) wasn’t quite sure, how she had managed to stay up until 4am, to engrossed into her book, to realize that the sound of her alarm clock would try and wake her up in less than three hours. 

7.50 she still had ten minutes to make it to class, (y/n) was jogging towards the entrance of her high school, already out of breath as she came to a halt in front of her locker, hands rifling through it, desperately trying to find her history book. 

��Good morning darlin’”, she was too focused on trying to find her book, to pick up the sound of Jaspers smooth voice, not noticing the way he was leaning against the locker next to hers, golden eyes attached to her trembling frame.  Adrenaline was pumping through her veins, she detested running late. “I was wondering, if you’d do me the honor and -”, a sigh left (y/n)s lips, eyes finding his, “sorry Jas’. I’m running super late, whatever you want to ask me, this has to wait until later, okay?”.  

His golden eyes watched her disappear down the hall, his jaw was clenched, a wave of disappointment crashed upon him, (y/n) was one of his closest friends, someone he admired, someone he loved. It seemed as if (y/n) was quite oblivious to his feelings, not picking up on the fact, that the pale boy was deeply crushing on her. 

ii. Lunch 

It took Jasper two days to work up his courage, to try and ask (y/n) again, prom was fast approaching and Jasper felt the need to keep her close that night. He wouldn’t trust the vision of his sister, knowing how much the future could change, Jasper couldn’t remember a time, where he felt that nervous, (y/n) managed to make him feel like a human being, something he terribly missed. 

Jasper spotted her at the far back of the lunch hall, nose buried in a book, not truly listening to her girlfriends blabbering, “just ask her”, Alice nudged her elbow into his side. His fingertips were hammering against the tabletop, pondering about wether he should walk over there or not. 

“Jasper Hale is coming into our direction.”, one of (y/n)s friends whispered, ripping (y/n)s eyes off her book, taking in his nearing frame, she felt her heart skip a few beats, her palms were getting sweaty, did she look alright? (Y/n) ran a hand through her (y/h/c) hair, trying to smooth out the knots, she bit down on her lower lip, averting her eyes. 

“(Y/n)? Would you have a second for me?”, his accent made her swoon, nodding her head “yes”, while grasping her book and her backpack, following him out into the hallway. (Y/n) shifted her weight from one foot to the other one, why would he want to talk to her in private? “So, darlin’”, a smile on his lip, Jasper grasped a loose strand of her hair, twirling it around between his fingers, golden eyes focused on hers, “as I’ve wanted to ask you beforehand, you probably know that prom is coming up and -”, a hand grasped (y/n) shoulder, making her turn around. Mike Newton. 

“Hey sorry, (y/n) I desperately need your help with the math homework, please.”, a groan left Jaspers lips as he glared at Mike, finally understanding Edwards annoyance with the boy. (Y/n) whispered a small “sorry”, before following Mike down the hall, she found Jaspers eyes once again, a smile on her lips as she disappeared around the corner.  

iii. Library 

(Y/n) loved to hide away in the library, it was her own safe space, a place where she could keep to herself, not having to talk to anybody. She was a sucker for new books, would read through them in a single day, not keeping herself from getting sucked into the fantasy world, wishing she could disappear for a while and start her new life in one of her books. 

Her mind began to wander, making Jaspers golden eyes appear in her thoughts, her right leg began to bounce up and down, oh how she’d wished to be by his side right now. She could already feel her cheeks flare up, hands pressed onto the hot skin, desperately trying to cool herself down. 

“Are you alright, darlin’?”, she whipped her head around, eyes ripped wide open, her heart was rapidly beating against her ribcage, of course, he had to appear, while she was in her flushed state, dreaming about the way he’d hold her at night, keeping her safe and sound, hands wrapped around her waist, head buried in the crook of his nec- “(Y/n)?”, he grasped her hand, eyebrows furrowed together. 

Jasper wasn’t one for giving up, it just wasn’t in his nature to back down from anything, his primal instincts were leading him towards (y/n), he had to ask her, hoping that they’d finally be on their own in the library, no Mike near to disturb their little bubble of peace. He sat down next to her, still not letting go of her hand, tracing the veins on the back of her hand, “I think now would be a good time, to finally ask you, if you’d-”, the “silence” that hallowed through the library, interrupted him once again. 

The vampire pressed his forehead against the tabletop, jaw clenched, he felt anger rise in his chest, apparently he needed to take this to the next level. (Y/n) silently chuckled as she watched him, wondering what was going on inside of his head, why did he seem that annoyed? 

iv. Headphones 

Her back was pressed against the grass, hands crossed in front of her chest, eyes closed, another lunch break to give her a small break from studying. (Y/n) took a few breaths, cursing the clouds from hiding away the sun, she wasn’t the biggest fan of the cold weather. Birdys voice hallowed from her headphones, a smile danced on her lips as she listened to the lyrics, head whipping from side to side. 

Emmett pushed Jasper towards (y/n)s direction, noticing that none of her friends were near, she was completely on her own, the perfect time to finally ask her, if she’d accompany him to prom. Jasper took off his sunglasses as he placed himself next to her on the grass, eyes taking in her features, he was obsessed with her, in the best way possible. 

“(Y/n), I’ll go insane, if I don’t ask you this right now. Please, would you do me to honor and be my date to prom?”, his eyes were closed, waiting for an answer, but (y/n) didn’t say a word, not a single one. Slowly he opened up his eyes, maybe she just didn’t want to go to prom with him? Maybe somebody had already asked her, he wouldn’t blame them on that. 

But, (y/n)s eyes were still closed, she wasn’t moving an inch, her heartbeat was slow and clam, was she asleep? Jasper tilted his head backwards, hands running across his face, this was getting old. He could hear Emmett snicker from a few feet away, eyes trained on him and (y/n), he loved to watch his brother struggle. 

Jasper slowly ran a hand up her arm, fingertips tingling as he felt her soft skin underneath his, backing away as soon as she ripped her eyes open, it took her a few seconds to realize, that Jasper was sitting next to her. (Y/n) pulled out her earbuds, “sorry, Jas, didn’t hear you. Are you okay?”, his eyes looked darker than usual, he wordlessly shook his head��“yes”, rose from the ground and left the confused girl behind. 

v. Hospital 

Just as Jasper left his fathers office, he bumped into something, or rather someone, hands grasping the person, keeping them from falling. He didn’t need to look up, to see who he was holding onto, her scent was enough for the venom to pool in the back of his throat, something he should be used to by now. 

An embarrassed chuckle left her lips, (y/n) stepped out of his embrace, dusting off her jacket, cheeks flushed in a deep red color, “sorry Jasper”, god, why did she have to be that clumsy? (Y/n) slung her bag over her shoulder, shooting him a quick glance, before striding past him, desperate not to.make a fool out of herself for the second time that day. 

He couldn’t stop himself from grasping her shoulder, wouldn’t hurt to try it a fifth time, would it? She visibly gulped as he opened up his mouth, but, no words were leaving his lips, he took in her flushed state, picking up on the uncomfortable feeling that was flooding through her. 

(Y/n) was sure, that she’d black out any second now, her heart was beating unbelievably fast, why did he have to have that effect on her? Why did she have to crush on one of the most famous boys from her school? Jasper was staring down on her, it seemed as if he was in some kind of trance, he was probably just making fun of her clumsy self. Wordlessly she shook off his hand and left him behind, tightly clutching the fabric of her bag, desperate to hold onto something. 

+Will you be my date? 

Prom wasn’t even a week away and (y/n) still had no date, maybe she just shouldn’t go at all, she couldn’t turn up on her own, not in the mood to embarrass herself any further. God, the things she’d do for Jasper to ask her out, but he had probably already asked one of the popular girls, why would he even bother with her?

Her head was pressed into her pillow, trying to swallow down the lump, that began to form in her throat, tears were welling up in her eyes - stop it, you’re not going to cry over a boy. She was too far gone, to pick up on the sound of the door bell ringing, only raising her head as her mom called for her “it’s for you, (y/n).”. 

She had to drag herself down the stairs, not bothered by her attire, who’d turn up at her house anyways? Probably just the mailman or one of her friends, but as she found Jasper Hale standing in front of her door, she felt frozen on the spot, (y/n) couldn’t move her legs any further, panic overcame her, oh god.

Jasper couldn’t stop his smile from spreading as he found her frame, dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a tank top, no makeup on, she probably had been asleep a few minutes ago. “Hello darlin’.”, he reached his hand out for her to take, pulling her against his chest, inhaling the all too familiar scent of her shampoo, smiling against her hairline. 

“I know it’s late, I’m sorry for that. But this can’t wait.”, her eyebrows were furrowed together, wondering why he looked that serious, “please, (y/n), will you be my date to prom?”, he bit down on his lower lip, eyes trained on hers. It took her a few moments to process what he had just asked her. Prom? He wanted to go to prom with her? 

He began to feel nervous, once again unsure, if she’d liked to go with him anyways. “Of course I want to be your date.”, (y/n) pressed her head against the crook of his neck, giggling as he wrapped his hands around her middle, pulling her tighter. 

Finally. 

[crowtrinkets]

Barista’s Adventures in Wonderland

What if a cosplaying Barista was thrown into a more unconventional Astraea?

Chapter 1/?

Chpt 2, 

Alice in Wonderland AU! Inspiration was taken from @thislemonboy I've never done a multi-chapter fic so let's pray this won't kill me lmao. Merging canon with Lewis Carol's Alices Adventures in Wonderland

Tags: @avarifromtheotherside

Word Count: 2,964

~Down the Portal We Go~

I run my hand over my face and then extend my arm as I stretch, I had a long day at work and I'm finally off. Not even bothering to remove my apron from around my waist, I wave goodbye to my coworkers and step out into the chilly air. It's been raining all day but it seems to have let up. The scent of stale coffee and sugar radiates off my apron, I make a mental note to wash it when I get home. Tossing my items in my car I stand at the door just for a second, letting out a long slow breath. A loud clang from behind surprises me and I whip around to see, no one.

"What the… hell?" I look down and I see a scepter of some sort in front of me. It has a glass orb detail at the top and its spear is covered in gold, thinking I recognize the object, I reach down to get a better look but once I do a bright light emits from it. It catches me off guard and I fall backward, but rather than hitting the ground I continue to fall.

Down

Down

Down

I suddenly wake to the feeling of cold concrete on my face, letting out a groan I roll onto my back. Above me is the night sky, a swirling storm slowly dissipates revealing the moon behind it. I must have hit my head or something, but how long was I out? I finally sit up and my breathe hitches when I realize I am not where I think I am. Old ruins surround me, long-forgotten candles melted down till their wicks are nonexistent, reside in the corners. I slowly stand to further take in my surroundings when I hear a voice echoing around the corner

"Hello?" I call out, but I hear no response. However, the voice grows louder.

"Oohhh I am very very late, the Duke will curse me for this," from around the corner a man appears. He decently short in stature, his dark hair tousled slightly in his frantic state. He’s dressed in formal clothing, dark pants and a white poofy shirt with a low v, and a dark red waistcoat is that pokes out from the large black jacket he has draped over his shoulders. He frantically flips through a book, squinting through his glasses, not looking where he's going. He runs past me without hesitance, shouting frantically about being late.

“Wait! Hey, wait!” I call out, the ground seems to move below me causing me to lose my balance, but I manage to keep track of where the man ran off to. I chase after him but he doesn’t answer my calls. The man suddenly stops and waves a hand out in front of him and a black, swirling oval forms out of nothing, he jumps through and disappears into the dark leaving behind the dark oval. It must be some sort of portal, I think to myself. Without thinking I bolt towards the portal and jump through, hoping it takes me to the man. I fall onto my hands and knees and an overwhelming grape flavor fills my tastebuds.

“That’s a weird side effect,” I open my eyes and stand to see where I ended up and I see I am in a long hallway, it seems to be a part of a castle. The frantic man in a waistcoat is nowhere to be seen. Instead, I find a wall of doors. Did he go through one of these perhaps?

In the center of the hall is a low table, upon approaching it I find what looks like a finger bone.

“Gross,” I mutter, but something compels me to pick it up. Once I do it vibrates and suddenly forms the shape of a key.

“Hah, a skeleton key,” I joke to myself. “Maybe it’ll fit into one of these doors?” I turn to approach the first door, but once I put the key in the keyhole an ungodly screech emits from it. I pull back and cover my ears then I quickly rip out the key allowing for the screaming to cease. The hallway becomes deadly silent.

“Ok well that wasn’t correct,” I say to myself. I look down the hall at the multitude of doors and let out a sigh. The only way out is through one of these doors unless I wanna go down the seemingly endless hallway, and if it means having been screamed at so be it. Door after door, scream after scream, I start to become more and more frustrated.

“Aren't skeleton keys supposed to open all doors?” I exasperate. Once I try the last door I sigh, my attention then falls upon a curtain to the left of the door, pushing it back I spot possibly the tiniest door I've ever seen in my life. I look at the keyhole and then at my key.

“Might as well try it out,” I stick the key in and sigh with relief when it doesn’t scream at me. I slowly turn the key until it finally clicks. Letting out a sigh of relief I lay down and look through the tiny door which is no bigger than my hand. On the other side, I spot what looks like a greenhouse. A multitude of colorful plants occupy it and I see a pond off to the side but past that my vision is obscured.  Sitting back up I pull the key out of the door allowing it to close.

"Of course my only way out is impossible to go through," I grumble as I go to return the key to its spot on the table. However, once I approach I notice a tiny wine bottle with a label that says "drink me".

"I don't think it's very smart to drink from strange bottles," I look around the hallway, it seems to have no end or no beginning. My options are to either traverse through and potentially be lost forever or drink this strange bottle.

"This is probably some weird dream that I'm having so it can't hurt to drink a strange liquid," removing the lid I take a sip. At first, I taste nothing, but then a latte? Then is that a mocha? Is that a macchiato or is it a latte again? They're all made the same just in different order of ingredients so how am I supposed to know.

"Why would coffee be inside a wine bottle?" I think out loud. As I try to guess which coffee I'm tasting I suddenly realize the bottle is getting larger and larger. I drop it when it becomes too big and heavy for me to carry.

"What the hell kind of dream am I having where wine bottles grow larger in size?" I turn around to grab the key once again but then I stop and look up, way up.

"Oh, the wine bottle didn't grow I just shrunk," I say flatly. "… Shit," I turn back towards the door and realize that I'm short enough to fit inside.

"Hey that works out I guess," I run and grip the doorknob but it won't budge and when I yank on the knob the screaming the other doors emitted starts up, I pull back, and the screaming stops.

"Of course it's locked," I pat my pockets and feel my apron pockets and then I realize I left the key on the table.

"Ughh, I really would like to wake up from this dream now," I let out a frustrated huff, fiddling with the end of my apron. "This really isn't how I wanted to spend the rest of my day," I bring my head into my hands and groan. When I bring my hands down I see something glint out of the corner of my eye. I approach the shiny object and  I see a custard flan inside a glass box, labeled "eat me". How they got writing to stay on the flan is beyond me. I pick up the box and open it but then hesitate.

"The last time I consumed something I shrunk and now I'm stuck," I contemplate for a while. "Well, this is just a dream so… it can't hurt," Thankfully the glass box had a spoon on it, I start eating the flan, savoring its sweet flavor, not even thinking about my surroundings when suddenly my head bumps something. I look up and realize I'm getting closer and closer to the ceiling. I get on my knees as my height grows taller and taller.

"No, no no no!” I continue to grow until I have to crane my neck down even when on my knees. Finally, the growth seems to cease.

“This is most unfortunate,” I sigh.

“Can’t be late, can’t be late,” I hear a voice call. I look around and I see the man in the waistcoat. His nose stick poked into the book he was carrying earlier.

“Oh time, always passing, always making me late,” he mutters as he walks past, holding up a pair of glasses so he can look through them.

“Hey wait! U-uh you! You with the waistcoat!” The man jumps at the sound of my voice and whips around to look at me. He trails his eyes up until he meets mine.

“O-oh, dear!” He looks at me fearfully but doesn’t move from his spot.

“Excuse can you help me uh…” I trail off

“Oh uh,” he bows nervously “Felix Escellum, at your service, um… please don’t eat me, giant,” I can't help but chuckle at his statement.

“I’m not a giant!” I lean down to get closer, but Felix, as he calls himself, yelps in fear and takes off running.

“I must meet the Duke! Terribly sorry!” He shouts, his voice trails off as he disappears down the hall.

“Oops…” I let out a sigh. "He seemed nice, that bow was a little dramatic though." I lean to one side until I hear a crunch sound and a pain shoots through my palm. Wincing I lift my hand and realize I crushed the bottle I drank from earlier. The liquid spills all over the ground mixed slightly with blood dripping from my cut hand.

"Damn! How am I supposed to fit through the door now," I grab the corner of my apron and put pressure on my cut, groaning with frustration.

"I find a way out but then I leave the key on the table! Then I'm too big to go through and then I scare off the one person that might be able to help!" I feel my nerves begin to build up inside me. A painful lump forms in my throat, as I curl in on myself. I try to stretch out when my foot bumps something. When I open my eyes I see the book the man in- er Felix was holding earlier. It's practically the size of a doll's book when compared to my large size. There's also a very tiny pair of glasses with a chain. I turn them in my hands and look down the hallway but Felix is long gone at this point. Letting out a sigh I put them in the pocket of my apron and hope I see him again. I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to calm my nerves.

"There's no way any of this is real… I mean growing and shrinking? It sounds like a storybook," I think for a second and look at the cut on my hand which has stopped bleeding at this point. "There's no use in pinching myself awake if broken glass didn't do anything," I shuffle so I'm sitting more comfortably, my knees up to my chest and my arms wrapped around my legs.

"Well if this isn't a dream then how did I get here? I was at work, I had a long shift and they finally let me go… and um I walked out to my car and there was a sound," I rub my hands together remembering the cold sensation of the object I touched and how brightly it flashed. As I am remembering I notice a faint light emit from my chest. It feels warm and grows brighter and brighter despite my shock.

"Ah! What the hell?!" I pull on the neck of my sweater and look down at my chest. A bright light flashes and I flinch away shielding my eyes.

I sit for a second waiting for an inevitable to happen but nothing. I open my eyes and look down at my chest again, no light, no nothing. When I look around I realized I've shrunk again.

"Oh I guess that worked out, but the key…" I mumble. As I grumble about being pushed a step back I hear footsteps off to my left. I turn and I see a figure running towards me. I squint and see, a pink dress, white hair, and rabbit ears?

"Um, hello?" I call out, but they don’t seem to pay me any mind. As they approach I am able to get a better look at them.

"Hey wait, aren't you that cosplayer? Celena?!" I call out, but Celena still pays me no mind and runs past me.

"Wait! Where are you going!" I watch her run down the corridor, still, a little baffled by my situation.

A rumbling sound slowly builds up behind me, and when I turn I realize why she was running, a huge wave of water comes crashing down the hall, headed straight towards my direction. I turn to run but the water catches me by surprise and tumbles me underneath it. I finally gather my bearings and I swim to the surface taking a deep breath after being thoroughly tumbled like a load of laundry. I see a log floating on top of the water and I grab onto it to stay afloat. After catching my breath I look over and see Celena, peacefully swimming beside me.

"Hey, you!" I shout. Celena flinches but when she looks at me she relaxes, her expression inscrutable, however. "Ah, I'm sorry, you're Celena right?" she nods in response.

"Yes I am, how do you know me?"

"Oh uh, I really like your cosplays," I admit shyly.

"Thanks! I really like your costume too, what's your job class?" she asks. I look down at my now soaked outfit. I only put on a sweater and pants today, and my work apron over it.

"Umm… Barista?" I say. She smiles in response.

"You said you like my cosplays? Did you hear about the new Last Legacy game?" I feel a tinge of excitement well in me. Almost enough to forget I'm floating on a log in this seemingly endless hallway.

"Yea I did!" I laugh a little. "Hey don't you think Escell would look good in a chainmail bikini?" I ask. I look over at Celena but her expression darkens. Without taking another look at me she swims faster and over to a dirt shore off to the left.

"Hey wait!" I let out a groan, I'm tired of chasing people but that’s at least a way out. Abandoning my log, I follow Celena to the shore. The water nearly takes me under a couple of times but I eventually crawl my way up and out of the water. I turn around and see the hallway is gone, all I see is an endless horizon of water. When I turn back around Celena is nowhere to be found.

"Curious," I mumble to myself.

I run my hands across my apron and realize it's suddenly dry, thanking whatever miracle or magic kept me dry I follow a dirt path which seems like the only direction I can go.

 Eventually, the path leads into a forest, with seemingly no other direction to go I head into it. The forest is dense and dark, but little bits of sunlight poke through the leaves on occasion. I play with the strings on my apron as I walk, hoping nothing comes out and attacks me. Continuing on, I hear mumbling. Heading towards the sound and I see none other than Felix, leaping out of a portal. Stumbling slightly he leans on a tree and looks at his hand. Flexing it, he glares at an angry-looking injury.

"Oh dear the Duke is most impatient, he's requesting my presence now," I hear him grumble to himself.

"Felix!" I call out, heading in his direction. Felix barely looks in my direction, his attention locked onto the welt on his hand that almost looks like an image rather than a scar or cut.

"Oh Rime there you are," he rummages through his pocket and pulls out a key. He places it in my hand and closes my fingers over it, causing me to blush slightly. "Could you please stop by my office and grab my relic and glasses? It seems I have left them,"

"O-Oh um... Yea, yea ok," I stutter out. Felix gives me a quick nod, he then opens a portal and then jumps through it. I stare for a second, my hands still clamped over the key.

"Who’s Rime?" I ask out loud. I look down at the key, twisting it in my hand. A sudden dread takes over me.

"More importantly where is his office… I'm in the middle of a forest," I let out a loud huff. I look around and only notice the same path I've been following.

"Well this has to lead somewhere," I try to be optimistic. Trudging down the path, I hope and pray I find someone who knows where I'm going, or at least where I am.

[piracytheorist]

Fanfic Self Promo: KnightRook

I decided to make a few self-promo posts on my older fics, starting with the ones centered on KnightRook! All are short one shots or drabbles, but they’re worth a little promo after all this time. They’re in a list of older ones first.

~

Missing Knight | T, 2.4k words, written 16 Oct 2017 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: Speculative fic about Detective Rogers meeting the girl who, unbeknownst to him, is his own daughter.

I wrote this a little after 7x02 aired, before we knew anything more about Killian’s daughter. I was completely off with it, but I’m still quite happy with it.

~

A Young Tempest | G, 1.3k words, written 20 Oct 2017 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: Killian Jones raises his daughter and learns things along with her. 

Another speculative fic about Killian’s history with his daughter. Once again, completely off, but it’s one of my favourite stuff I’ve written.

~

A Song for Goodnight | G, 1.8k words, written 28 Nov 2017 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: Alice Jones I sings a lullaby to her son. A long time later, Killian Jones sings the same lullaby to his daughter. Warnings: Canon character death in the past.

I have feels about Killian singing his mother’s lullaby to his daughter. Some of these made it into this fic.

~

Untitled ficlet of Killian thinking about the white elephant he gave Ella | Tumblr link

~

A Family by Choice | G, 3.3k words, written 04 Feb 2018 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: The curse is broken, everyone’s memories are back, and Roni with Weaver find a way to remove the poison from Rogers’ heart. But it’s not easy nor perfectly safe, and it might just as well pull that family apart again rather than bring it back together. 

This one is a little sad, as usual with me. But again, lots of feels.

~

The First Rain | G, 590 words, written 25 Mar 2018 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: Alice is finally free and gets to explore how being under the rain feels.

This one includes only Alice, but it’s got a lot of focus on KnightRook. (If you thought you’d find happy stuff on my fic, you thought wrong. KnightRook was brimming with angst and I milked the hecc out of it)

~

Mother’s Day | G, 650 words, written 14 May 2018 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: Modern AU. Alice makes something for her papa for Mother's Day.

I felt that Killian deserved a little more love and appreciation for raising such a kind human as Alice all on his own. Father’s day doesn’t get as much appreciation as Mother’s day, especially considering it’s usually after school starts summer break. So I felt that in a modern setting, Alice would choose to celebrate her father and their love for each other on Mother's Day at some point.

~

Poor Old Man | G, 530 words, written 12 Mar 2018 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: While in the tower, Killian realizes he's growing old. But not alone. 

There’s a sea shanty with the same name, but only the title has a reference to the story. I just thought that it would be interesting to see Killian, who’d spent his centuries in Neverland not expecting to survive his revenge mission, realize that he’s not only actually growing old, but that he’s also got someone to love and love him back as he does.

~

Sad drabble of “What if Killian hadn’t managed to save Alice from being pulled into her worst nightmare in the finale?” Like, really sad. | Tumblr link

~

Sad Old Hook drabble in direct response to the fic above, because he did end up old and alone. Be sad with me, people. | Tumblr link

~

Marks | T, 1k words, written 15 June 2018 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: Little Alice wonders why she doesn’t have any marks on her back, like her papa does. Warnings: Mentions of past physical abuse of a teenager

If you know me, you know I headcanon Killian having multiple scars on his body, many particularly from the time he was a indentured servant as a kid/teen. Being the only one who Alice sees in her first years, she thinks that she’ll grow to have such marks on her body. This is a bit of a melancholic take on Killian trying to explain it to her.

~

Untitled ficlet about Old Hook “fusing” with OG Hook, becoming one with him. | Tumblr link

~

A New Experience | G, 1.3 words, written 19 July 2018 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: Killian makes a re-imagining of a storm in the tower for Alice. 

Humans have more senses than vision. In this story, Killian does his best to create an experience for Alice by invoking her other senses. (Also nerding out for my music knowledge by adding an ocean drum)

~

Sad drabble about how Killian seeing his daughter pull away out of fear of hurting him sometimes hurts worse than the curse in his heart. | Tumblr link

~

Under the Weather | G, 2.2 words, written 12 Nov 2018 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: Young Alice gets very ill and Killian tries to help her. 

Don’t let my habit for angst worry you, this has a happy ending. The medicine techniques are probably inaccurate, but I wanted to focus on a scenario of Killian trying to heal Alice with the very very limited sources he has.

~

Remembering Alice | G, 424 words, written 04 Dec 2018 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: After Lucy's birth, Killian can't help feeling sad as he remembers how his daughter is forced to live away from him. 

It is what it is. A short angsty thing. Only Killian appears here, but the focus is on KnightRook.

~

A Merry Little Christmas | G, 1.6 words, written 24 Dec 2018 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: This year, Rogers and Tilly won’t spend Christmas Day on their own. 

I don’t participate on Secret Santa and similar events, cause they stress me out over producing a specific kind of content at a specific time. However, all the love people gave to that year's KnightRook Secret Santa inspired me to write a kinda independent contribution, which came out as this. It may not be Christmas yet but the warm, fuzzy feelings are the same!

~

Untitled ficlet about re-awakened Killian thinking how his true self conflicted with Rogers’ memories and original goals. | Tumblr link

I barely remember writing this one, lol. I think, it may have started as a meta post, then it took a fanfic route on its own. Fics be doing that. I’ll probably post it on AO3 at some point, too.

~

Outward-Bound | T, 2.5 words, written 20 Mar 2019 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: Old, dishevelled, broken-hearted Hook is drowning his sorrows in alcohol, when he happens upon a familiar face, someone he never imagined he’d see again. Warnings: Depiction of alcoholism

Oh, this be sad! Again, only Killian appears, but the KnightRook feels are prominent.

~

Sad (shocking, I know) drabble about Killian being taken away in the ambulance in 7x20 | Tumblr link

~

The Dreams That Won’t Come True | G, 2.1k words, written 14 Sep 2019 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: Killian and Alice find a way to be together through their dreams... but it doesn't end up being what they expected. 

That made me sad. Almost made me cry when I first wrote it, and I’m very hard to cry.

~

Bonus Fics!

Untitled ficlet with Robyn and Killian; three moments between them | Tumblr link

~

Accepting Happiness | G, 1k words, written 26 Nov 2018 | AO3 link | Tumblr link Summary: A little after reuniting with Alice, Killian takes a moment to try and let everything sink in. Hooked Queen, open to your interpretation.

Some introspective thoughts on how Killian and Regina would feel, right after the climactic ending of the finale, the one set before the final scene. Only Killian and Regina appear, but KnightRook is in focus.

[sprolden]

ok i know we JUST learned about the tv adaption, but what are your thoughts ! what do you think it'll look like in your ideal world? what do you think it'll come out like irl? part of me can't help but think that, for all heartstopper is v heartwarming and sweet, netflix would try to make it a really gritty teen drama woth dark academia vibes or smth 😭

because alice is writing it, i’m pretty confident it wont be a riverdale-esque dark story!! she’s been so super careful to keep heartstopper upbeat, i don’t think she has it in her to make the show all dark and gritty, lol. i have honestly never had this much faith in an adaptation in my life!!

i definitely think it will turn out be something similar to skam, in terms of production. if you go to the heartstopper tv instagram account you can see it’s following a bunch of social media accounts with names of the characters, so i’m guessing we’ll get some sort of actual posts made by the characters (although i don’t really see how a netflix show, which are usually released by the season rather than the episode, could be as immersive as skam was)

i definitely think the story will change, though! all adaptations change pacing/story elements because a well-written novel isn’t a well-written show. i think it’ll be long episodes (40 mins-1 hr) and i think the pacing will be slightly different- elle, tara and darcy will probably be introduced far earlier in the story than they are now, otherwise i don’t really see how they would end up being major characters in an 8-episode arc. i’m guessing it’ll be mostly based on chapter 1, 2 and 3. (aka first kiss and maybe some coming out, but no paris and no mental health stuff just yet)

i don’t really have an ideal vision for it! i almost always like adaptations because they’re a different take on a story i already love. the only thing i could ever wish for is that we get to see tori even if it’s just for a second. i also hope to see plenty of dogs. also the flashmob scene

HOWEVER, i had a dream about the adaptation tonight, so i guess that’s how my subconcious envisioned it: it was an animated show where everyone looked completely different EXCEPT for elle. nick had long hair i think? also, tori and aled weren’t there, but becky from solitaire was a major character. i have no idea what any of that means.

tl;dr i think it’s gonna be upbeat because i would trust alice oseman with my life & i can’t wait for the emotional support webcomic that dragged me through high school to be turned into an emotional support tv show that will drag some other kid through high school

[strangerobin]

Rue: Chapter 3 (A Jasper Hale x OC Imagine)

A play of hide and seek.

Writer's note: I had initially intended for this to be a reader insert piece, but it gets difficult trying to write without a name. So I decided for an OC instead lol

“Welcome to Northern Lights Resort and Spa, how may I help you?” Adeline smiled as she welcomed the next set of guests at the front lobby.

She’d moved to Whitehorse where the city was permanently covered with white snow and blanketed by the night sky more than half of the day. Found a part time job at the local resort, rented a run-down flat in downtown. It was cold and dark and it was everything she needed and loved.

Depression always did look good on her, as Tatiana would say.

But Tatiana would not think to find her here, nor Father, or anyone else for the matter. And she was safe, free to wallow in self pity and self loathing; free to ruminate on every last regret she had.

Thursday nights were reserved for movie nights; the local cinema showed sepia movies every Thursday nights, and it was nostalgic to see Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor and all those stars again on the big screen, she was always addicted to the motion pictures back then.

She even managed to keep a fling on the side. A young college boy with golden curls, though his eyes were not quite the right shade of brown, his were too dark. And she wished he wouldn’t talk so much of his self absorbed art pieces, she’d rather he talked about the literature he should be reading instead. She’d picked a copy of Frankenstein from the local book store again, and he’d only given it a side glance and never returned to it again. But he was a warm embrace in the dead of the night, so she guess she’ll let it pass for now.

Other nights though, she would walk out alone in the reserves, hunting, mesmerised by the Northern Lights, solar winds from the sun meeting this earth’s atmosphere, deflected by the earth's magnetism to become polar lights that twist on itself to form an array of colours. It made her feel small, reminded her that she did not mattered, that nothing mattered.

“Your rooms are on the fifth floor, the lift is just past the lobby on the right. Please enjoy your stay here.” Adeline recited her lines, directing her guests on their right way.

It wasn’t much really, but mundane was good, habits made her feel safe. She’d managed to carve out a little safe haven for herself in this gigantic world.

It was enough for now.

Until she felt the strangest sensation in her chest. It had begun as a dull ache, so insidious she did not notice when it first started. Not long after, the pain began to come in waves, crashing, clenching at her heart so painfully she was starting to sweat. Adeline clawed at her chest. Mumbling an apology, she quickly ran to the back and folded into herself, sweating dropping down her brow as she tried to make the pain go away.

It didn’t feel so much as a physical pain. Nor was it the usual warnings that her instinct whispered. No, it was something else, something more emotional, something more primal.

What was happening?

It felt as if she was reminded of all the things she had lost in her entire existence, all the grief she could not hold. But there was another sharp tug at her heart, urging her to move in some unknown direction, lest she should regret.

The feeling only seemed to intensify as the seconds passed. And then she knew.

It was coming towards her. Whatever it was that her heart sought.

Just as the doors to the resort opened-

Adeline Ruelle did the only thing she was good at.

She ran.

In the exact opposite direction.

*

It took them quite a while to even figure out in which direction she had gone. It had taken Alice an even lengthier time to pinpoint which area she might be, scouring all her visions for a single blindspot. It was near impossible.

Jasper’s anxiety was quickly infecting the whole household; everyone could feel the tension in the air, electrifying. Edward and Bella had to take Renesmee to stay in their little cottage; even Emmett had been quiet for most of the days. Jasper mostly kept to himself in his room, oscillating between two extremes, bouncing on the balls of his feet and sitting hunched in the corner, frozen in his thoughts.

“North.” Alice had finally muttered on the tenth day. “Canada.”

From there on, it was another few weeks before the pair managed to locate their target working in a resort in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. Tracking her scent, and where the blindspots were appearing, but even that proved difficult. And by the time they had arrived, she had been gone.

Just gone. Her colleagues had no way of knowing where she had suddenly vanished to in the middle of her shift.

They did, however, managed to locate her little flat in downtown.

And possibly a fling or two.

Jasper had simply looked on in distaste at the man, never uttering a single word. Alice was left with the questions.

How long had they known each other? What did she tell him of herself? Did he have any clue where she might go next? On and on and on, which they gleaned pretty much close to nothing for the college boy. Jasper had simply rolled his eyes and stuffed his hands petulantly into his pockets.

Alice though, she did not miss the resemblance the man had with Jasper.

Then they had gone into the flat she had rented. Clearly she had been there before, hastily packing her, possibly, few possessions with her. Except one or two mass paperbacks she had evidently bought to pass time.

Alice watched as Jasper lingered on the little paperback edition of Frankenstein carelessly strewn over the coffee table. Watched as he fingered the cover of the book thoughtfully, then leafed through the pages of the book. When he caught her staring he merely shrugged.

“It was always her favourite.”

She did not miss it when Jasper quietly tucked the book into the pocket of his jacket.

*

“I do know that for the sympathy of one living being. I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.”

“That’s a little too morbid, wouldn’t you say so darling?”

“On the contrary, I find it exceedingly accurate and befitting.”

“Come now.” He chuckled good-naturedly. “You are not a monster, darlin’.”

“And who’s to say I am not?” She challenged with steel in her eyes.

“Adeline.” He admonished softly, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. “You could never be one.”

“And how would you know? Perhaps it is because I hide my fiendish side behind a mask so masterfully that I have deceived the world, and even you.” She hated the shrillness in her voice, the desperation she tried to conceal.

“Sweetheart, only my heart cannot deceive me. You have bared your heart and soul to me and I have seen, have felt the kindness and love overflowing from your heart. How could a monster possess of such?”

“And if I had committed crimes in my past?”

“Then I know with confidence that it was not out of ill intent on your part.”

“You are too kind, Jasper.”

“Am I now? Come let us read something sweeter darling.”

Adeline pouted. “You know it is only my favourite.”

“And I do not understand your morbid fascination of it.”

Adeline huffed in annoyance and Jasper laughed poking her in the cheek. “That being said.”

“The monster was never truly the monster Adeline. It was always Frankenstein. Remember when he said ‘Life, although it may be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.’”

“He loved life more than anyone else, he possessed the gentlest soul and a deep appreciation to life like no other. He deserved to live, to be loved more than anyone else.”

Adeline blinked in shock at Jasper’s passionate outburst and before she realised, a single tear had rolled down her cheek.

“Adeline?”

She leaned forward and to capture him in a passionate kiss.

*

Adeline awoke with a start. Turning away from the blinding sun, she rubbed her eyes blearily. What time was it even?

Certainly not the 1800s.

Misplaced memories. Huh.

Adeline tried not to let her mind wander back to her dream just now, and certainly not the man of her dream.

It was close to three months after that incident at Whitehorse, She was in Minnesota now, surely no one would think to look for her here. It wasn’t New York or Chicago or Seattle. Nowhere conspicuous, middle of the line, your average American midwestern state. Surely that would provide for some camouflage or something?

No matter.

She had far troubling things to be concerned of right now.

She had been going over it time and again since her flight. The incident at Whitehorse was strange really because in all her existence, she had never once felt that before, the strange pull at her heart. The ache in her chest.

Or not?

Something was goading at her in the back of her mind, to examine the incident closer, to remind her of certain memories she would rather not remember; but she refused to let anything surface.

She picked up her new copy of Fitzgerald - Tender is the Night.

She had a shift at the local bar in three hours. She was determined to be their on time and not go down some damned rabbit hole.

*

“It’s here.” Alice looked to Jasper as he took in the environment, the rain falling softly beside them in the chilly January night; the lights from the bar, the cheap building. She hadn’t yet met the girl, but Adeline sure did know how to blend in, finding the most ordinary of places to hide amongst humans. Places not too obvious, but also not too obscure, where no one would bother to look twice, or even think to look.

Jasper’s face was grim and his eyes set. He was radiating anxiety, probably without meaning to. She gently patted Jasper on the back to soothe him.

“It’s alright, I’ll go in first. You wait here for my signal.”

He only nodded.

Ducking into the threshold she was immediately assaulted by the barrage of lights and noise; it took Alice a few minutes before she caught sight of a head of brown curls at the bar table chatting with her fellow bar tenders, all the while cleaning glasses. She made a beeline for it.

“Adeline Ruelle?”

The girl turned towards her and assumed a businesslike front, ready to serve. But Alice did not miss the small tremor in her shoulders, the uncomfortable shift in position, subtle and quick as it may be.

Bingo.

She was evidently a master in concealing her emotions, her nervousness hidden behind a reassuring smile, anyone would have been fooled. Except Alice. She watched the bartender closely.

“I’m sorry Miss, we don’t have an Adeline here. I’m Cordelia, perhaps I can get you a drink first while you wait for your friend?”

“Bourbon, if you would be so kind.”

“Just a minute.” She turned to get the drink and Alice took her time to appraise the girl.

She really was beautiful. Alice thought. She might be posing as your ordinary college student/part time bartender, but the way she held herself, her grace and poise, it was something she could never lose even on purpose. And the breathtaking beauty, she stuck out like a sore thumb.

It was no wonder Jasper had loved her so completely, irrevocably in his past life. How could any man resist such an alluring woman? She could not be mad at Jasper for his choices in his past life; and judging by his recounts and the hardworking girl right in front of her, neither had anticipated the whirlwind of romance and the subsequent breakup when they first met. In fact she might just be a tad bit jealous of the bond they shared, she’d never in her life experienced something so strong and consuming. Sure she loved Jasper and no one could deny the love that they shared. But it paled in comparison to one the two shared. She was almost sure they were mates.

It still left her heartbroken all the same.

But then she remembered the first time she met Jasper; we’re not mates but if you would have me we could keep each other company until our mates showed up. I mean, two is always better than one right? It left her conflicted now; she was reaping what she had sowed.

Yet as Alice continued to observe the girl closely, she noted how her coworkers seemed to treat her as if she was just any normal college student. Talking to her, bantering lightly, she threw her head and laughed heartily. To them, She was just the right amount of charismatic it seemed. And her smell…

It was then she realised she did not catch ahold of her scent.

Had she concealed it? Could one even do so on voluntary grounds?

“Your bourbon miss.” Adeline returned, sliding a small glass across the bar table.

“So what brings you here, to Minnesota?” Alice decided to make a strike.

The bartender’s face twitched momentarily. “Pardon?”

“You don’t seem like you're from around here. You don’t look like it.”

“I mean, It’s a free country. Anyone can go anywhere really.” Adeline shrugged.

“Lemme guess.” Alice pretended to think all the while observing the other closely. “You’re from the South, aren't you? Like Louisiana, or Texas.”

“I’ve lived there, yes… but then again I’ve lived almost everywhere really.” The bartended shot her a tight-lipped smile, the stiffness in her posture even more profound now. “Well if you need anything just give me a holler will you? I hope your friend finds you soon.”

It was her.

Alice watched as she turned to smile at her coworkers and then ducked into the kitchen.

She was making her escape.

Well, they can't let her go that easily now can they?

Alice raced out of the bar immediately, searching for her companion outside the parking lot.

But she was only left with an empty parking lot as the wind blew and the rain fell harder than ever.

[melancholydreadfuldream]

Going Under Part Four

Fandom: Doctor Who

 Pairing: 13th Doctor x Reader

 Summary: An accident during a routine adventure made your life spiraled out of control with only the Doctor as the anchor. Will you ever find your way back to your Doctor again?

 Trigger Warning: ooc, angst, plot holes as usual, attempted suicide, dark!doctor, death, insanity, etc. You have been warned.

 More warning: English is not my first language so beware of the headache you will receive upon reading this.

     I fell on my knees as I clutched the sand beneath my fingers. I could feel wind blowing around me. I look around and I saw that I'm currently stranded on some beach?

  "(name)?" 

  I heard someone called my name from behind me.

  "(name)!!"

  I turned around and squinted my eyes against the annoying wind. It was Tenth Doctor in a blue suit and he is not alone. He is with Rose. 

  "Doctor?" I trailed in confusion.

  The Doctor ran toward me with a grin and hugged me tight while I just stood there and hesitantly hugged him back. 

  I just left a version of him alone. My heart ached suddenly at the reminder. That Doctor is sad, so very sad and I couldn't do a thing to ease his sorrow.

  The Doctor released me, still grinning happily.

  Rose didn't say anything but she smiled at me.

  I nodded at her. "Thanks for the stun gun?" I blurted out.

  She chuckled at that. "Don't mention it."

  The fact she know what I'm talking about meant she is the same Rose I met back at the crucible. Which meant this version of Tenth Doctor is from that time too.

  "What stun gun?" The Doctor asked. "Why do you even have a stun gun?" He sounded annoyed.

  "For protection." Both Rose and I simultaneously answered and we smiled genuinely at each other.

 "Stun gun is useless against the Daleks." The Doctor pointed.

  "I know. But it worked against the Master." I said.

  The Doctor's eyes widened. "The Master? You met the Master?!" He yelled.

  Rose is confused. "Who is the Master?"

  The Doctor explained who the Master is to her.

  My head felt dizzy suddenly I almost lost my balance but the Doctor caught me.

  "Are you okay?" He asked in concern.

  "Just a bit dizzy. Where are we now?" I asked. "Can we get something to eat first?" I rubbed my stomach as I smiled sheepishly at them. "I'm a bit hungry."

  It was Rose who told me where I am. Bad Wolf Bay.

  "Where is your Tardis, Doctor?" I asked.

  The Doctor rubbed his head with an almost guilt look. "Well, that is...a bit complicated."

  I stared at the Doctor in confusion as he explained that he is not exactly the Doctor. He said he is the metacrisis Doctor whatever that's meant. 

  My eyes widened when Rose helpfully tell me that the metacrisis grew from the hand in a jar I saw before.

  "Like a worm?" I asked with almost disgusted look.

  The Metacrisis looked insulted while Rose laughed out loud.

  I shivered in cold from the wind. Thankfully they noticed and finally suggested we left the beach.

  I stared at the metacrisis who is holding hand with Rose in contemplation.

  Usually I always ended up wherever the Doctor is. I suppose this metacrisis version counted as the Doctor.

  Rose called her mobile and shortly after a black car appeared. She gestured for me to get in.

  It felt kind of awkward as we shared a car. I didn't know what to say to them. But the two lovebirds are too busy staring at each other in silent.

  A sudden sharp pain in my head made me gasp out loud and I found myself spiralling like little Alice who fell into unknown hole. It feel like splintering but also...not?

   7777

  Cold. It was so cold.

  I opened my eyes and suddenly fell into a panic state as I found myself submerged under water. I opened my mouth, causing icy water to fill my throat and lung. 

  I struggled to surface and coughed harshly when I did. I wiped the water in my face and I saw Thirteenth Doctor rushing toward me, saying some comforting words but for some reason she sounded so far away. There must be waters inside my ears too.

  The Doctor is still rambling as she clutched my cheek, sometimes my hair but I still couldn't get what she is saying.

  "D-Doctor?" I whispered with chattering teeth. "Where am I?" I made a move to get out of...glass tube? "W-what is this?"

  The Doctor prevented me from moving out of the glass tube. She said something to me but I can't understand.

  "Doctor, I can't hear you!" I said in frustation.

  The Doctor stopped talking and she stared at me in sorrow.

  Suddenly she pushes me back by the head back into the icy water.

  I was shocked at first before I struggled against her strong grip but it was useless.

  From beneath the water, I saw her yelling something at someone I couldn't see. Someone is beside the Doctor and that person is about to inject me with something.

  I panicked even more as I screamed under water and everything turned black once more.

   7777

  I screamed myself awake.

  "(name), it is okay! Open your eyes! You are safe!" I heard a voice said urgently.

  I opened my eyes slowly to see Tenth Doctor, no, Metacrisis Doctor and Rose. They stared at me in concern.

  I took in my surrounding while still trying to calm my breath. I am in some medical room and I am not wet despite being under water just before. I coughed a few times as if getting the air knocked out of me.

  Was that a dream? I thought to myself as I touches my neck, remembering how the Thirteenth Doctor pushed me back into the icy water. Was she trying to kill me? Why?

   "W-what happened to her? What was that?" Rose asked the Metacrisis Doctor.

  I blinked, trying to focus on those two talking. 

  The Metacrisis Doctor is staring at me with a look of concern and fear. Fear for me? 

  "What?" I asked him.

  They told me that I suddenly fainted in the car and that I was in a...state. 

  "It was like you got stuck between one place and the next..." The Metacrisis Doctor said with a frown. "...like a blip..."

  I grimaced. Well, that one is new. So did I splinter? Unsuccessfully? "But I was here, right?"

  "Like I said, to us, it looked like you were stuck...like a blip but yeah, you are mostly here." He said again, frowning as he ponder about it. "Did you go somewhere?"

  "I think so. But it feel more like a vision of nightmare rather than being stranded somewhere foreign again..." Oh this is confusing and kind of scary. I groaned. Great, another unwanted complication.

  "Where did you go when you were in that state?" He asked. "Was that the first time it happened or...?"

  "I think that was the first time that happened to me...?" I was unsure, remembering that vision of waking up to a frantic Thirteenth Doctor but that time...it didn't feel like splintering. It almost feel unreal so I didn't mention it or even write it in my notebook.

  "Were you in pain?" Rose asked in concern. "You look like you did."

  "I'm fine...I think?"

  "You don't sound sure..." The Metacrisis pointed. 

  I didn't speak for a few seconds. "I think the Doctor...I think she just tried to drown me?"

  "What?" The Metacrisis yelled loudly making me wince.

  "Wait, what? She?!" Rose also exclaimed loudly.

  The Metacrisis got distracted by Rose as he sheepishly told her about the future of the Doctor being a Time Lady.

  Despite knowing about regeneration, Rose look pretty astonished by the revelation.

  The Metacrisis turned his attention back at me and demanded I tell him every detail of my encounter with the alternate Thirteenth Doctor. 

  But is she really an alternate version? She seemed to know me. I know there are alternate version of me who is also travelling with the Doctor. I met one before. Could that version of the Doctor mistaken me with her version of myself?

  I sighed again. That doesn't make sense either. Why would she tried to drown any version of me? 

  The Metacrisis snapped his fingers to get my attention as he urgently asked me for the detail of my experience earlier. "Focus!"

  So I told him about waking up in some deep glass tube, of seeing the Thirteenth Doctor and of her trying to drown me and inject me with something.

  The Metacrisis frowned as he asked more detail on the glass tube I was in. Sadly, I didn't pay much attention to the glass tube so there is not much detail I can tell him

  He thought that the Doctor I met is probably experimenting on me for some reason, presumably to save my life. He was a bit disappointed that I can't give more information.

  I decided not to contradict him with the fact that I once met a somewhat insane Thirteenth Doctor. But that version wanted to keep me for herself while the version earlier...

  You know what? I need to give her benefit of the doubt and just consider that what Metacrisis said might be true. Maybe she is just trying to save me? I sighed. Here I am in denial.

  "Next time, doc, keep in mind to tell someone when you are trying to save them by drowning, say, to save misunderstanding." I said in annoyance.

  He grinned sheepishly. "Noted." His cheerful demeanor vanished as he told me to write down everything that happened to me in my notebook.

  I nodded obediently. 

  I noticed Rose is still staring at the Metacrisis. I think she can't get over the fact that one day the Doctor will switch gender. I understood the feeling but I have accepted it somewhat. 

  They gave me some food and a set of new clothes. I drank my medicine and get a rest some more. They gave me some privacy.

  My mind keep replaying being under water with the Doctor hovering over me as she pushes me under. I closed my eyes, wishing for that memory to leave me alone.

  I stared at my notebook that I just finished writing in with a sigh. I put the notebook on my bag. I could feel the sign that I was about to be pulled away again.

  The Metacrisis and Rose are nowhere to be seen so I couldn't say goodbye to them.

  7777

  I blinked as I found myself in an unfamiliar room but I know I am inside the Tardis. I turned around and yelped when I saw two bodies embracing each other on the bed.

  "Oh my God!! Cover everything!!" I yelled as I covered my eyes with my hand. I turned my back from the surprised and frantic couple.

  It was definitely Eleventh Doctor and River Song...in bed, having sex. I wish I could bleach my mind.

  The Doctor grabbed a pillow to cover his junk while River remained chill despite the unwanted interuption. They both redressed themselves.

  "(name), have you ever heard of knocking?" The Doctor glared at me.

  I glared back at him. "Like I have any control which place I ended up to!!"

  River perked up. "(name)? Your alternate future companion? The one who is crossing all over your timeline in every alternate universe? That (name)?" 

  Wow, River's description of me making what happened to me sounded awesome. I mean I supposed it is exciting if not for the fact that I'm dying. 

  The Doctor nodded at his wife as River immediately grinned at me, offering a handshake.

  "How exciting... Nice to meet you. I'm River but I reckon you know that, don't you?" She said with a friendly smile. "I've been wanting to meet you for a while now."

  I felt awkward under her attention as I forced a polite smile. I turned to the Doctor and asked about the last time he saw me.

  "It was at the crucible. Remember? Tardis got taken by the Daleks?" The Doctor reminded me.

  I nodded. "Yeah, I was actually just at Bad Wolf Bay with your Metacrisis and Rose."

  The Doctor look surprised and turned solemn at the mention of those two. "How are they? Do they seem...happy?"

  "I think so...?" I trailed in confusion.

  He beamed a little. "That's good."

  River put a hand on his shoulder in comforting gesture.

  They took me out of their bedroom and back into console room as I told them about what happened to me earlier. About Thirteenth Doctor tried to drown me and how the Metacrisis disagreed.

  I took my medicine as they asked me to tell them everything that happened to me. They wanted to take some of my blood to conduct their own test. I gave them what they wanted.

  Afterward they gave me a room for me to get some rest.

  River came to have a chat. It was awkward at first but soon we started talking animatedly about the Doctor. She also asked to read my notebook. I was hesitant at first but...she is the Doctor's wife so...essentially I can trust her, can't I? So I let her read some pages. 

  She told me she kept a diary too detailing her encounters with the Doctor. She has a wistful smile as she got to the page with the gallifreyian writings. She can read it but she won't translate it for me.

  "Don't worry. They all spoke fondly of you." River said, fingers tracing on the gallifreyian writings.

  I sighed at that.

  "I must admit I am curious about the female version of the Doctor." River said. " Did she ever mention me?"

  I shook my head slowly. I felt bad for River because she looked sad at my answer.

  "Honestly, she was very secretive about her past. The fam and I, we didn't know much about her. I only know some stuff about her because of the splintering." I said.

  When she noticed my stun gun, River decided to teach me how to use a gun. She started simple with a small gun. 

  That's how the Doctor found us in a room for target shooting, apparently a room that the Tardis created just because River asked the ship out loud. 

  The Doctor look absolutely disappointed at us and our gun. He pouted much like a child under River's teasing.

  I observed them with a fond smile. The smile slide off my face as I felt it was time to go. I voiced my gratitude for their company.

  They turned to me with unreadable expression before smiling encouragingly at me.

  "Next time you come here, I promise I will get you a simple weapon for your protection." River sweetly said despite her husband's protest.

  I laughed at them as I slowly faded away right before their eyes.

   7777

  I blinked in confusion as I found myself in some random wood. I walked around, hoping to find the Doctor soon. Wonder who will I get this time?

  I didn't watch where I was walking and I ended up triggering some trap.

  I screamed as I found myself hanging upside down by feet.

  Someone must have heard my scream as I could hear many someones coming my way. I could only pray they are friendly, not the kind who want to eat me. Oh gosh, please don't let me meet a cannibal.

  I got a headache already thanks to the unwanted position I am in. Thankfully, the universe is kind to me today as a bunch of people came toward me. I recognized Twelfth Doctor and Clara. Clara's red period dress caught my eyes immediately. 

  I blinked at them.

  "Oh, it's you." The Doctor said flatly.

  I would feel insulted by his tone if not for the fact I am hanging upside down. I pitifully pleaded, "Help me get down please..."

  One of the men, his name is Robin Hood, Clara supplied, thankfully catches me after he ordered his merry men to free me.

  I was too busy trying to balance myself again to appreciate the fact I'm actually meeting a Robin Hood. 

  I sat on a fallen branch as the Doctor stared me down. Clara sat beside me and engaged me with friendly conversation. But I was a bit dizzy to keep up. Thanks to her being chatty, I found out that this version of Doctor and Clara are the one I met when they were imprisoned alongside the Doctor's other past faces and companion.

  I finally looked up toward the Doctor. He was staring at me in calculation. I sighed. "Don't worry, I won't demand a cure from you. Judging from how you look at me, you didn't expect me to come back again, did you?"

  The Doctor look almost ashamed but didn't say anything.

  Clara watched over the both of us in curiosity.

  "Honestly, I'm beginning to think a cure for my current state is impossible." I said softly.

  "Don't be absurd. I just haven't figure it out yet. It does not meant I give up or that there is no cure." The Doctor said. "Do you still have your medicine?"

  I pulled out my pill bottles. There are only a few pill left. 

  "Thought so. I have a backup for you somewhere back in the Tardis." He said.

  "You actually make the medicine for me just in case?" I asked, feeling a bit surprised. He sounded like he was annoyed when he first saw me.

  "I did promise you a cure, didn't I? Though I have to disappoint you as the cure is just a temporary measure." He said.

  I smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you, Doctor."

  We are interrupted by Robin and his men, something about an archery tournament launched by Sheriff of Nottingham.

  I noticed Clara is flirting with Robin with ease while the Doctor is grumpy and overall rude toward Robin. 

  Clara and I exchanged amused glance as we both watched the Doctor challenge Robin with archery, trying to one up one another. They are definitely trying to impress Clara, I think.

  Everyone cheered every-time those two releases their arrows.

  Predictably thing turned into trouble when we found out the soldiers employed by the evil sheriff are robots.

  I exhaled loudly in annoyance as I ended up in a dark prison with Doctor, Clara and Robin. The Doctor really is a magnet for trouble, isn't he?

  Clara and I exchanged annoyed look as the Doctor and Robin won't stop yapping at each other.

  Eventually Clara was taken away as they thought she is our leader after she lost her patience and snapped at both Doctor and Robin. I am impressed with her. 

  Though I felt kinda insulted that they only take Clara. Was it because I don't look like a noble lady like her? But then again I'm not the sort who take charge. I wouldn't know what to do if I am in her position.

  I was shook out from my musing when the Doctor and Robin yelled loudly again at each other. It was amusing at first but this gets really annoying fast. For once I wish to splinter as soon as possible just so I could get away from their stupidly grating voices.

  I glared at them but they don't notice me. I sighed as I stared at the cuff around my wrists. I hope I won't end up splintering taking the cuff with me. That would be awkward.

  After a few minutes of them yelling and mocking each other, I yelled at them to calm the fuck down.

  I glared at the Doctor. "Stop being jealous of him and start using that brilliant mind of yours to get us out of this mess." I said.

  The Doctor glared back at me with a scoff. "Jealous? Of him? Hah!"

  Robin, in turn, scoffed at the Doctor, exchanging annoying 'hah!' at each other repeatedly.

  I rolled my eyes. I felt a headache already. I glanced at my bag. When I was taken, they took a look inside but deemed it worthless and tossed it on the ground nearby. I really hope the Doctor stopped being childish already and work on our freedom. It would really be troubling if I splinter without my notebook and medicine. Also I wonder if Clara will be okay.

  I watched in annoyance as the Doctor and Robin acted stupidly which ended up with the key to our freedom far from our reach. I groaned. This is going to take a while.

  Eventually they did finally able to release themselves and worked to release me. Unfortunately, they still can't get along even for one common goal, rescuing Clara.

  I picked up my bag as I held back from rolling my eyes as those two started to bicker, practically ignoring me. It was at that moment that I felt the tingling.

  I hitched a breath and turned toward the Doctor. But he was too busy yelling at Robin to notice. When he did finally noticed, I was already fading away. Last thing I heard is Robin demanding what is happening to me.

  7777

  I felt dizzy as I arrived on...wherever I am this time. I found myself standing in some sort of a deserted land? But I didn't see anyone. I took a walk tentatively. Then I saw figures coming my way. I squinted my eyes to see and my eyes widened when I saw the Doctor and Ryan. There is an old man with them.

  The Doctor and Ryan called my name in disbelief and confusion. They recognized me. I wondered if I am home but knowing my luck, that probably not the case. But they recognized me so I have to assume they were the set that I met much earlier, an universe where I never travelled with them. I sighed at that. It is such a sore subject for me. I can't imagine not knowing the Doctor and the fam.

  The Doctor scanned me with her sonic screwdriver and once she is done, she smiled. "It's good to see you again, (name). Wish it is on a better situation."

  I smiled at her and Ryan. I have to swallow my bitterness upon confirming they are not my original friends. "What is going on?"

  The Doctor glanced at me sadly. "Cybermen."

  The smile slide off my face immediately. "The lone cyberman?"

  "Now, it is an army." Ryan replied.

  "Where are Yaz and Graham?" I asked in worry.

  "We got separated from them." Ryan said.

  I turned toward the Doctor who remained silent. We exchanged a look. I was reminded the last time I saw her, how I warned her about a version of herself who went insane after losing her companion.

  "I won't let that happen." The Doctor suddenly said.

  I prayed that she can keep her promise. They might not be my original set but they are still a version of the same sort of people that I care about. I don't think I could deal if I saw one of them die here right before my eyes. Last time was hard enough, watching a version of the Doctor died with me being completely helpless, to the point I lost my marble. 

  I swallowed down a fearful sob as I took a very deep breathe to calm myself. A part of me wanted to stay and help but another part of me just wanted to fade away from here. I am such a coward.

  The Doctor fussing about some communication equipment nearby when suddenly a static noise and we heard Yaz's voice.

  Ryan and I quickly come closer to the Doctor so we could better hear what Yaz said until I realized she was saying goodbye. They were trapped in a cybermen spaceship with the army on the way of either killing or converting them. A flashback of the sweet Bill Pott turned into a cyberman flashed my mind.

  I observed the Doctor's face. She flinched at what Yaz said. The despair in her eyes as she realized she is helpless, unable to save Yaz and Graham. I feared that she would snap into that version of the dark doctor I saw before.

  I tried to focus on what Yaz is saying and froze when I heard her confess to the Doctor. Yaz is in love with the Doctor!! My mouth dropped open in shock. 

  In hindsight, I shouldn't be surprise at all. The Doctor is such a person, so wonderful, I don't know how to describe it. I never thought I like woman until I met her. But maybe it is because she is the Doctor that I fell for her. I wonder if I meet earlier incarnation of her instead of her, would I also end up catching feeling for them?  I admitted I kind of have soft spot for all the alternate previous incarnation of the Doctors I met so far.

  I watched the Doctor as she clutched the device close to her lips, hearing her muttering Yaz's name solemnly. The Doctor closed her eyes as if in pain. My heart goes for Yaz and the Doctor. Though now that I knew, I can't help but wonder if my Yaz also has feeling for the Doctor. She never said anything to me. I wonder if the Doctor...

  Gosh, noo! Oh, no! I hit myself on my head immediately, feeling stupid for having a love crisis when Yaz and Graham are in danger! Priority, Me, priority!! 

  I bit my lips hard as I focused on the Doctor.  I felt the tingling right at that moment. 

  No! I can't leave right now! I have to help them somehow anyhow or...I have to know what will happen next in order to prevent my original friends from suffering the same fate. I sounded so selfish I realized but what am I supposed to do?  I want to go home to them, to that version who know and love me as much as I love them.

  I didn't call out to the Doctor. I didn't want to ruin Yaz's possibly last moment with the Doctor. As I fade away, I can only pray that they will survive whatever ordeal coming their way. 

  7777

  I landed on my knees on the floor and I coughed up blood. I quickly popped up on my medicine, wiping the blood using some napkin I saw before taking a look at my surrounding. I was in a room, a bedroom and on the bed, the Tenth Doctor in pajamas sleeping. My mouth dropped open in confusion. I noticed he look pale. I stepped toward him when the door opened and Rose entered the room. Upon seeing me, she started yelling at me.

  "Who the hell are you? How did you get here?" Rose demanded. "Stay away from him!"

  Wow, she is so intense.

  An older woman entered the room bearing a fruit knife and upon seeing me, waved her knife threateningly at me after hearing Rose yelling at me. A young man also entered the room bearing a frying pan.

  What a welcome.

  I raised my hands up in placating gesture and then I blurted something stupid, "I come in peace!"

  Rose and the others stared at me stupidly before they started talking at the same time. I think the man accused me of being an alien.

  "Would you please be quiet so I can explain?" I finally snapped.

  They did.

  I figured I shouldn't say anything complicated so I told them I am from the future and a friend of the Doctor. I also said I knew Rose in the future, well, a version of her, but like I said, just keep it simple.

  Rose didn't believe me at first. She told me to move out of the room as not to bother the Doctor. She let it slip that the Doctor has just changed his face. 

  I braced myself as Rose then started to interrogate me about some stuff regarding the Doctor and the Tardis. I think I passed the quiz as she finally relents. 

  I thank my lucky star that she didn't press my knowledge of Rose herself. I only met her a few times and I didn't know much about her aside that she is a bad-ass with weapon and is in love with the Doctor. 

  Is it a common occurrence, I wonder, for the companion to catch feeling for the Doctor? Rose, River, Clara, Yaz and myself, so far that I observed. But obviously River is the one most special since the Doctor married her. From what I have seen of River, she is amazing woman. 

  Rose introduced me to Jackie, her mother and Mickey, her best friend.

  Both Jackie and Mickey tried to ask me about future events. It was then Rose suddenly noticed the Christmas tree in the room and asked her mother about it.

  I stared blankly at the tree when it started to whirl around mechanically. My mouth dropped open when the tree started flying toward us just as Rose screamed for everyone to run or take covers as the tree hurling sharp ornaments at us. Mickey grabbed my hand and pulled me along. 

  I can't believe a Christmas tree just attacked us. Seriously life with the Doctor in it is so weird but fascinating, never a dull moment.

  We ended up inside the room where the Doctor is sleeping. Trapped and helpless, I saw Rose climbed up the bed and whispered in the Doctor's ear. Suddenly the Doctor woke up and immediately use his sonic screwdriver toward the tree. He ran outside the room toward the balcony and the others followed.

  I saw creepy figures in Santa Claus clothing stared at us from below. I didn't hear what the Doctor said but I was worried when he suddenly grabbed his chest as if having a heart attack with Jackie hovering and asked him what he need, even going as listing everything she thought he might need much to my amusement.

  I accidentally laughed when the annoyed Doctor shouted at Jackie that he need her to shut up. Everyone stared at me much to my embarrassment. I muttered a small sorry at Jackie.

  "Who are you?" The Doctor asked. "you are new."

  Rose glared at me. "She said she is a friend of yours. Did you lie?"

  "Really?" The Doctor turned to look at me. "Are we?"

  "I did not lie. He just don't know me yet." I said.

  "A-ah." The Doctor suddenly nodded as if he understand. "Sometimes I did met someone in a wrong order. Hello, there, I'm the Doctor. Who might you be?"

  I shrugged. "I am called (name)."

  The Doctor grinned at me clutching my hand on his, shaking it rather hard. He released me with a groan as he clutched his chest again. When he exhaled, a sort of yellowish energy flew out of his mouth.

  "What is that?" I asked.

  "Don't worry about it. It is just some regeneration energy." He waved it off as if it is not a big deal.

  At the mention of regeneration, my eyes widened. I only get a glimpse of a regeneration energy once when a version of Tenth Doctor transferred the energy into his spare hand. I hope I would never saw it in my Doctor. My wish for her to remain as she is.

  "Aah, you woke me up too soon. I am not finished yet." He said, pale and sweaty and then he fainted.

  With the Doctor is out of commission, things went downhill pretty soon with a broadcast from an alien race that somehow able to control the mind half of the population into walking on the edge. Next thing I know, Rose and the rest of us suddenly met up with Harriet Jones to deal with the alien.

  Much to my horror, I realized I couldn't understand what the alien is speaking. Rose said the Tardis must have some malfunction of some sort or maybe the ship is connected to the Doctor. That never happened before with my Doctor and the fam. I dreaded meeting alien with language barrier, bound to cause misunderstanding. Although these alien race seemed wanting to invade the earth for some reason, I wonder if we could reason with them without the Doctor.

  Rose tried her best though much to my admiration, she took charge. I don't know what I would do if I'm in her position. I prayed the Doctor feel better soon so he can help us with this crisis. I grimaced, feeling useless and I have a few hours to kill before the next splinter. I hope I could be of help somehow.

  I accompanied Rose, Harriet and a bunch of her people to face the alien. Part of me thought everything will be alright because I met  a version of Rose far back in the future, which meant that Rose probably survived these event, which meant the Doctor definitely will come through for us. And I was right. The Doctor did come through, still in his pajamas, with a smug look on his face as he started talking fast at everyone.

  "I want to be ginger. I never get to be ginger." The Doctor complained.

  Next thing I know the Doctor challenged the alien leader into a duel. He even lost a hand. I gasped as I covered my mouth. The metacrisis! I chuckled as the puzzle started to fit. My mouth dropped open as I saw the Doctor grew another hand. I meant I know he will do that since the version of him that I met didn't walking around with one hand.

  "Like a worm..." I whispered to myself.

  Rose gaped as she stared at me and then she covered the giggle that burst out of her mouth. But soon she started laughing.

  I chuckled and soon followed laughing especially when the Doctor walked toward us, asking us what is so funny. We just kept laughing.

  As the Doctor give his oncoming storm warning at the alien, they retreated. He took us back with his Tardis. The Doctor is pissed at Harriet for obliterating the retreating alien but she stood tall, believing she did the right thing. The dark look that crossed the Doctor's feature made my heart clenched in fear. But this is the Doctor. He would not do anything to punish her, would he? All he did is whisper something to Harriet's assistant and then walked away, ignoring Harriet attempt to plead her case.

  I frowned as I watched Harriet and then the Doctor's retreating figure.

  "(name), come along." The Doctor called out. He turned to Rose to tell her to get inside her house and that he need to change his clothing. They shared a flirty smile at each other before parting. He turned toward me, looking way too serious which make me very, very nervous. He gestured for me to come on board his Tardis. He made me wait in the console room while he went to the wardrobe room to change.

  "What do you think?" The Doctor, now in a proper suit, asked me. He was grinning in almost flirty manner.

  "It's very you." I answered flatly, trying to cover my nervousness of being alone with him.

  "Ah, right, you are from the future, so you must have already seen me in this suit." He said as he put his hands on his pockets and walked toward me with a stern look. "Care to explain why you are here?"

  "You didn't trust me." I know I can't expect the Doctor, any alternate version of him, to immediately put their trust in me but damn, I hate having to try to convince the Doctor again and again. Luckily, so far, I haven't met a version of Doctor that outright reject or dismiss me.

  He shrugged. "I don't know you." He said.

  I sighed. I pulled my notebook from my bag. I haven't updated my record yet, I really should do that soon. I flipped some pages.

  The Doctor stared at my notebook curiously.

  I showed him a page written by a version of Tenth Doctor. "Here." I gave the notebook to him. "This should at least clarify." The Tenth Doctor that I met wrote in my notebook said it will help the other Doctor to help me.

  The Doctor read the writing on the page but he look confused. "What is this?"

  "It is your handwriting..." I said with a touch of 'duh' on my tone.

  The Doctor sheepishly scratched his head. "Yeaah," He drawled. "I haven't done any writing yet, brand new hands, you see..."

  I gaped at him. Suddenly I felt stupid, he is right after all. I pulled to the next page. "But I'm sure you recognize this language." I said to him.

  And he did. A sombre look passed his feature upon seeing the Gallifreyan writings on the page.

  "How did you get this?" He asked suddenly looking almost angry.

  His  harsh tone took me aback. I gulped. "You are the one who wrote that..." I said almost defensively. "Well, technically an alternate version of you."

  He glanced at the notebook and then at me and then back to the notebook. He flipped some pages. "Alternate universe? You?" He asked. He pulled his sonic screwdriver to scan me. While he is waiting for the result, he flipped on some pages again.

  I glared at him and the sonic. I grabbed the notebook from him, almost in petulant. "Some of that is private, okay?" I put the notebook back on my bag.

  He took a glance at his sonic and his mouth dropped open. "You are telling the truth..." He glanced at me with a look of pity. "...and you are dying..."

  I exhaled at that. "Thankfully I'm still alive and kicking thanks to medicine your alternate future self give me, but I'm about to run out. The last Doctor said he has the back up but we got into trouble and then I splintered before he could give me the back up medicine."

  "That does sound like me...getting into trouble..." He pondered thoughtfully and then grinned boyishly at me. "Oh, well, it is nice to meet you, (name)."

  I tried to smile but it is more like a grimace.

  "Now, about the medicine... I think I spot a page about the formula of some kind."

  "Ah yes, he does wrote it in my notebook." I said as I pulled back out my notebook, flipping on the page of the formula written by a version of Twelfth Doctor. I showed the page to him. He took the book from me and scanned it using the Tardis. "What are you doing?"

  He smirked at me. "Making you your backup medicine. The Tardis will help me find the key ingredient for the formula."

  I watched him moving in circle surrounding the console, pushing some button on it.

  "My alternate-self seemed to trust you so I don't see any reason not to help you." He said, without looking at me.

  "Gee, thanks." I said sarcastically.

  He grinned. "I assume you took one when you arrived in this universe?"

  I shrugged. "Kinda have to considering..."

  "considering...what?"

  "Well sometimes I cough up blood. He said, the Doctor I met before, he said to take one."

  The smile slide off his face as he is looking at me solemnly, pity in his eyes. "I'm so sorry."

  I shrugged. "It is fine. I'm getting used to it. So, the medicine, how long will it take to finish?"

  He glanced at me. "We could join Rose and her family for dinner. It should be finish afterward. Join us?"

  "I don't want to intrude."

  "Nonsense, come along, (name)." He said with a grin as he grabbed my hand and pulled me outside the Tardis.

  "Oi, hurry it up, will you two!" Rose called out.

  A bright, adoring smile crossed the Doctor's feature upon seeing Rose. "Coming..."

  I relented and joined the Doctor and Rose. Thankfully, Rose is friendly enough with me. But I kind of feeling like a third wheel around them...again.

  I smiled as I observed the Doctor, Rose and her family. They seemed to having much fun. After we finished dinner, we got out and saw it started snowing much to everyone excitement until the Doctor ruined it by saying it is a remnant of the exploding ship of the alien earlier.

  I glanced at the obvious couple as they stared and pointed at the night sky. That's when I felt the tingling. Realizing I was about to be taken away, I called out to him.

  "Doctor, thank you for having me. But it looked like I couldn't get the medicine again. Hold on it for me, will you? We might see each other again..." I said with almost a sad smile.

  The Doctor and Rose frowned at me in confusion. Their eyes widened as I slowly started to fade away.

   7777

  I landed somewhere and immediately feeling like the ground beneath me collapsed. I fell on my knees, clutching my head and groaning.  "Ooww..."

  "Are you alright?"

  I blinked and opened my eyes to see a red-haired little girl staring at me curiously. I took a glance at the surrounding, I was at the backyard in some random house. "Where is here?"

  "Leadworth." The little girl answered almost in annoyance directed at the said place.

  "Leadworth?" I repeated. Then I finally noticed the Tardis next to a shattered shed. "Doctor?" I called out. "Doctor!"

  "You know that weird man?" The little girl asked.

  "You saw the Doctor?" I asked as I turned to question the girl.

  Suddenly the Doctor come out from the house, calling out my name in excitement. "(name), you are here!"

  I blinked as I saw Eleventh Doctor in a messy, torn suit. "Doctor?" I pondered about which Eleventh Doctor is he when he went to hug me tight.

  "I'm so glad to see you again." He whispered at me.

  I hesitantly hugged him back. "Me too."

  He released me and he suddenly sniffed me. "You smell weird."

  "W-what?" I asked in horror and offended.

  He suddenly licked my cheek.

  "Eww." The girl and I exclaimed at the same time.

  "What the hell, Doctor? You can't just go around licking people!" I yelled, wiping my cheek with my clothes.

  "You smell...You smell like me...like a regeneration. Have you been with a version of me that has just regenerating?" He asked.

  My eyes widened at that. "Err, yeah, actually." I remembered the Tenth Doctor from before, with that weird yellow regeneration energy thing, it does get caught on my face. "You can smell that?" I asked. I glanced at him, really taking him in. "You...you also have just regenerated?"

  He smiled almost solemnly.

  "Doctor." I called out. "The last time we met is..."

  "Thank you for comforting me that time, (name)."

  My heart clenched in sorrow suddenly upon remembering that version of Tenth Doctor, the one so clouded with sorrow and burdened by the prophecy of his death. He finally regenerated into his eleventh self after all. I am sad that I won't see him ever again despite knowing they are still the same person in all the things that matter.

  "I am so glad that you survived. You make it sounded like you will not." I said softly.

  "Yeaah, sorry about that, mind is a bit messy last time."

  The little girl coughed up to catches our attention.

  The Doctor is beaming as he introduced me to the girl, Amelia Pond. I recognized the name and I stared at the little girl in wonder. 

  Amelia grabbed the Doctor's hand asking about some crack in the wall.

  We ended up in Amelia's room, observing the crack in the wall. A faint voice calling out a prisoner zero can be heard through the crack.

  The Doctor observed the crack carefully, sonicking it. At that moment, I felt the tingling again.

  "Doctor..." I called out. But he ignored me, staring at the opened crack and some eye thing that he said to be the warden of some alien prison.

  I turned to Amelia who is staring at me curiously. "Amy, I have to go. Stick with him, okay? He can fix the crack. Be safe."

  "Are you leaving?" Amelia asked looking almost disappointed.

  "I have no choice. But I'm sure we will see each other again." I said as I faded away.

  The Doctor turned to me at that exact moment. He looked like a kicked puppy upon seeing my fading self.

  I wanted to say something, anything but it was too late.

   tags: @thatsonezesty13

 A/N: And...I'm stuck. Sorry that it took so long to update. Hope this will still be a good read.

[halothenthehorns]

All in the Family

Chapter 130: Beyond the Veil

Sirius saw something black fluttering as he stumbled around and only had a moment to be grateful at least he was about to hit something soft when a strong pair of arms grabbed him. He groaned as James hauled him to the ground instead, both of them now facedown on the cold stone floor.

He sat up and decided against pushing him down the stairs in retaliation, he was too grateful Prongs was okay. James sat up with a very peeved look on his face they'd successfully stopped him grabbing that stupid thing, now Sirius looked around critically to make sure there wasn't anything else to worry about killing them.

Regulus, Evans, he and James were up on some sort of raised dais, that creepy black thing that had so fascinated Harry and a few other kids fluttering along with no breeze in sight. Sirius concentrated for a moment but heard nothing whisper-like at all, but he still found himself grateful James had stopped him from stumbling through that as he probably was about to, it gave him the creeps even more in person. The book was resting on the arch holding it into place.

The other four had landed in a scattered mess all around, sitting up plenty fast and looking around in concern. He watched as Peter and Longbottom immediately looked to that thing as well, and seemed far more intrigued than anything. Wormtail didn't even get up, staying in place and watching the movement with that critical eye of his. Longbottom got slowly to his feet and actually began moving forward, despite the fact Alice was at the opposite end of the room and he didn't even seem to notice.

Remus was too, but he had eyes only on Sirius as he moved slowly down the steep stairs farther into the pit. Sirius quickly averted his eyes and made to grab the book, and scowled in frustration when James beat him to it. He gave it a toss though and called, "here Moony, get us out of here please?" Eyes still on Sirius with that expression he probably should have felt something for, but he'd been numb so long now he wasn't entirely sure what himself. He'd just known he shouldn't let Prongs grab that, so he'd stopped him. He'd gone through the motions of letting Remus comfort him, but even then it had felt more like watching someone else move his hand. Even the brief flair of emotion he'd felt being held by Moony had almost undone him, so he'd just screwed the lid tighter on all these bubbling emotions.

A spike of fear finally shot through his consciousness as Remus stuttered, "B-Beyond the, the Veil." He'd never heard Remus so terrified in his life as he whispered that and dropped the book, shaking his head in remorse as he mouthed he wouldn't do it.

It was the same look James had on his face since Harry had that vision, still there now as he grabbed Sirius and pulled him forcefully down the stairs to grab the book and still not leaving an inch of space between them. His son or his brother, Sirius had known from the beginning as well as anyone James was being torn in two now with both in such danger and he was actually going to force himself to read the results rather than waiting around for anyone else to figure it out. Sirius knew he should stop him, but he couldn't hold onto the feeling long enough to act on it.

Sirius was still clinging to his nothingness, an absolutely useless shell as he listened to Death Eaters arriving, taunting Harry and those teenagers with knowledge of what Harry now had in that Prophecy. He wondered if this is what those long years in Azkaban would feel like, just shutting down and not thinking for as long as possible, listening to sounds and refusing to react lest a Dementor was drawn back to you.

He didn't want to be! He wanted to hug James and tear that book away, stand on top of that stupid arch if he had to and read to save Prongs from this, he wanted to hold Remus and promise he'd never be alone, to check on Peter and Regulus to make sure they were okay. Someone should probably check on Evans too, he couldn't even imagine how she'd be dealing with all of this, her kid in danger because of him. Hell, he even felt for Longbottom and Alice, they'd never asked for any of this and their kid was in just as much trouble as his godson!

Every time he caught himself moving though he just doubled down on his new resolve, if he acted on a single one of those impulses he'd probably just make things worse, again! Somehow, someway he'd manage it in this room.

Harry was in trouble now. Bellatrix and Malfoy were taunting them all with promises of an answer while Harry's gang worked out a silent plan to get themselves away. They were mocked with vicious lies about Sirius's involvement being nothing more than a dream, and honestly they still couldn't believe it.

Whether a lie that had brought Harry there or a lie to sway them into running only to have him as a hostage still, Harry was given no true time to collect himself as the plan was put into motion and the Prophecy room was destroyed, scattering Dumbledore's Army and their enemies all about this place. Nobody had the inclination to go traveling through the other rooms in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the destruction as the war began taking victims from both sides.

Harry, Neville, and Hermione had been separated from Luna, Ron, and Ginny with half a dozen Death Eaters after each.

Neville's nose and wand were broken, and two Death Eaters were down, one more spectacularly than they'd ever be able to imagine with that baby head. Hermione went down in a flash of purple, and so did a Death Eater via Harry in retaliation.

"Frank?" The true fear in her voice didn't really register though.

It was more James looking around, actually distracted from this that had Sirius doing the same, but he did feel another beat of shock to see him tugging on Alice's hand to be let go, eyes glazed over as he still watched the blackness. Lily had jumped down and joined them, but he wasn't acknowledging the two girls one bit, mouthing something none could hear. Alice looked near tears he wasn't even reacting to the knowledge Neville had apparently just lost his dad's own wand in the fight, he wasn't really reacting to anything anymore either.

A shot of real panic finally washed over Sirius as he turned wildly back around and saw Peter was edging onto the stairs, small tentative steps but still just as riveted on that thing. Regulus was right in front of him on the dais, waving his hand pleadingly in front of his face and holding his wand dangerously, but Peter wasn't fighting as hard to get away, he just couldn't seem to stop looking.

"James, read faster," Sirius stated, finally moving again towards the pair. He didn't care if they hated him even more later, he'd drop dead rather than not react to this! James reached out to grab him though, nearly hyperventilating with stress. "It's alright Prongs," Sirius promised, squeezing the hand that trembled along his shoulder, finally meeting his eyes again. "Get us out of here."

Sirius finally getting his spark of life back bolstered James like nothing else could have, he swallowed and nodded with determination while Sirius and Remus went up the steps to get the other two. Peter went down backwards obligingly, but still had a very drugged sort of expression like he had no clue of anything except that small fluttering movement. James was reading with a vengeance now though, his strong voice carried in the whole room as Harry and his friends managed to regroup, but couldn't seem to get out of there.

Regulus put a firm hand on Peter's shoulder until he sat down on the ground and still he craned his neck to keep the thing in sight. Longbottom was really struggling against the girls now, pushing them away with force and calling, "Dad?" He wasn't going for his wand yet, but Sirius wasn't going to let it go that far.

He'd feel bad later for this as well when he aimed and petrificus totalus, causing Longbottom's limbs to snap together and he fell to the ground stiff as a board. There wasn't a chance anyone was going near that thing now as Harry came crashing back into this room alone! Every one of his friends were out of commission in one way or another, his godson had the prophecy and nowhere to run but up there in a mockery for the center of attention he was so like James for.

Neville wasn't going to stand for that though, broken nose and useless wand as his only form of attack while he descended into the fray. Alice made such a terrifying noise of fury Sirius jumped to be between her and James, but her vengeance for Bellatrix Lestrange mocking her child was not to be directed at anyone in here as she stayed by Frank's side and held his petrified hand.

The Cruciatus curse was set upon their child and Sirius couldn't just stand there doing nothing! He knew that pain, his godson had been subjected to the same from Voldemort, he made to go over there and promise Neville would live through it and anybody who said otherwise would pay, but the ghost of Prongs and Evans weren't going to swoop in and save anybody this time, the Order arrived.

James moved again and wasn't letting go this time, holding Sirius firmly to his side and balancing the book carefully as he rushed in amongst the others. This should have been a good thing, Sirius kept telling himself as he put an easy arm around James's back this time and held him just as close in commiseration. This should have been exactly what they were hoping for, Sirius up and around on his feet to the rescue, Harry would get out of there in no time now!

They kept expecting flashes of light to blind them from the battle, the eight of them were all staying low to the floor now even if they didn't need to and James was practically whispering the dreaded back and forth. Remus was holding his hand now and he didn't know or care who had started that as the prophecy was broken and everything felt so hopeless right now.

"Dumbledore?!" Sirius repeated in a great sigh of relief in case anyone had missed what Prongs had said. He moved to get up and dance around the room in excitement, maybe even try a few of those doors now and skip along merrily in here! Everything was supposed to be fine now, their headmaster could best Voldemort, nothing else was going to happen in this room while that white beard was around!

Prongs hadn't stopped though, his grip on Sirius turned to bruising force as he was still battling Bellatrix and Sirius laughed in wild delight for the idea, it was high time he got to bloody do something useful in this future like that!

Whatever words had appeared next though seemed to have frozen him over, and Sirius leaned in impatiently, still high on his jubilation to read more in confusion than anything Bellatrix had hit him with a spell! The nerve of her sent him into a fit of anger now, reading in a temper what James never could and not even realizing what he'd said until far too late.

Sirius had been the one to fall into the veil, and he did not come back out.