#23 looked so good it was a miracle and now here we are back to square 1 | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

jamisonwritestf2trash · 1 year ago

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minific anon jumpscare! ft. dadspy :3

----------<3

Scout's used to people insulting him for not having a dad growing up. In fact, he used to insult himself for not having a father. And he insulted his father for running away. And then he started to think that maybe his father hadn't run away. He had died. And Scout decided, a dead dad is better than a dad who ran away. He didn't realize how wrong he could be.

There's only one photo of his father that he knows of. It's in his mother's locket, and she only lets Scout see it on his father's birthday.

His father was about 23 in the picture, and he has black (or dark brown, maybe?), smoothed back hair. He has piercing blue eyes, and a slight, warm smile on his face, staring at the camera. Scout was barely a year old when that photo was taken, Ma had said. It's weird to think that Scout had known his father for a little while. He just can't remember his voice.

It doesn't matter to him, anyway. He learned to survive without a father, after all. And so far, he's done a damn good job at it. Until now, at least. The stupid BLU scout had gotten an advantage on him during a physical fight, grabbing their dropped scattergun and firing into Scout's torso, blasting him backwards and off a small ledge. He'd somehow survived getting shot, but the fall had broken his ankle and likely his nose, judging by the blood starting to drip down his face from it. He'd crawled under cover to hide from BLU team. He'd heard them cap the first point, which meant that most of RED team must've retreated so Medic could heal them so they can defend the next point.

And they'd forgotten about him. Or, assumed he was dead. Or figured he was busy fighting. Groaning, Scout sits upright and starts to try and treat his injuries, but his hands are too shaky to hold the medkit right.

"Scout!" Someone's voice whisper-yells from a bush, and he looks up to see the outline of Spy in the treeline nearby. "Come quickly, there's nobody nearby. Bring that medkit."

Scout nods, and drags himself towards the treeline, where Spy puts an invis watch around his non-injured wrist and turns him invisible as well, and drags him further into the trees for more cover.

"Do you want to tell me what happened or sulk in defeat?" Spy asks, somewhat mockingly.

"BLU scout." Scout mutters, wiping his nose. "We got in a fistfight an' they got their gun and shot me."

"A miracle you're still alive. Give me that." Spy grabs the medkit and starts to treat Scout's wounds with surprising precision.

Silence falls between the two for a few minutes. Spy finishes with treating Scout's wounds, and helps him stand, slinging his arm around his shoulders and starting to walk.

"Hey, uh, Spy."

"What, Scout?" Spy looks at him, annoyed.

"...Thanks." Scout mumbles. Surprise lights in Spy's eyes for a moment before he looks away with a huff.

"But of course." Spy narrows his eyes. "Your mother would not want her son returning home in a box."

"Yeah." Scout laughs slightly. "She'd kill me again. And Miss Pauling, too, probably."

"Hm." Spy stops for a second, checking for any signs of BLU before continuing.

"Hey, Spy, do you have any family?" Scout asks. "Like, back in France?"

Spy doesn't say anything. He just stops dead in his tracks.

"Uh... Spy? I get it if ya can't answer, but... why'd you stop?" Scout asks, slightly nervous.

"I don't have family in France." Spy answers flatly.

"Oh... um, did they move to America with you?"

"No. They died in the second world war." Spy narrows his eyes. "But I did have family here. But I... left them."

"Well, why'd ya do that?" Scout frowns. Spy doesn't answer, just continues walking. Scout lets the question hang in the air, instead decided to look at Spy's face. He rarely ever was this close to Spy, as the latter usually was annoyed by Scout and avoided him, and Scout never got to study Spy's face that well. He had drawn all of the other mercs except for Spy so far.

Spy has piercing blue eyes and fairly sharp cheekbones, and his chin sticks out a little bit. His nose is pointed downward slightly.

"I feel like I've seen you before somewhere, dude." Scout breaks the silence. "You remind me of someone."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Spy frowns, suddenly defensive. "We've never met until we took this job."

"I dunno. You just look familiar. Like, um, your facial features, I mean." Scout shrugs, and Spy just rolls his eyes, continuing back to the base.

RED ending up being able to defend the last point, thanks to Sniper's quick thinking and eliminating the enemy medic and making quick work of the rest of the team using his SMG.

Scout couldn't shake off the strange feeling of familiarity from Spy. He's seen that face somewhere before. But where? And why was it bothering him this much? Sighing, he rolls over on his bed and reaches for his Bonk!, only to knock something off the nightstand.

His ma's locket. She'd sent it in the mail a few months back, and he hadn't gotten it open yet. But it seems to have popped open since he dropped it on the floor accidentally. Scout grabs it and looks at the photo inside.

His blood runs cold.

There's only one way to be sure.

Running down the hall, Scout makes his way towards the room, pushing the door open as silently as possible and sneaking into the room. He reaches for it, only for Spy's hand to grab his wrist in an icy grip.

"What the hell are you doing in here?" Spy snaps, pushing Scout backwards. "And how on earth did you get in without me noticing you opening the door?"

"Doesn't matter! I gotta know somethin'!" Scout holds the locket out. Spy raises his eyebrows.

"About jewerly? You'd be better off asking Miss Pauling---" Spy starts.

"The photo." Scout drops the locket in Spy's hand, and the Frenchman looks at it. And his face falls.

"Where... Where did you get this?" Spy demands.

"It's my Ma's. You look like him." Scout stares at Spy.

"Well... I suppose we do--" Spy hands the locket back. "But I can assure you that is not me."

"Prove it." Scout stares at Spy. "Take your mask off."

"What?"

"Take it off." Scout stares evenly at Spy. "Right. Now."

"I'd rather die." Spy scoffs, and motions for Scout to leave. Scout rolls his eyes before lunging at Spy, grabbing the mask and starts pulling at it. Spy lets out a shout of surprise before starting to fight back, but Scout pulls the mask off. But before he can look, Spy kicks him in the gut and stumbles away, putting a hand over his face to hide it, turning his back to Scout. Scout stands slowly, looking at the mask in his hand, and then at Spy.

"Look at me." Scout whispers. "Look at me, Spy."

"And if I don't?" Spy asks, his voice slightly muffled by his hand.

"I-- I'll burn the mask!" Scout says, surprised by his own words, but he holds true to his words, pulling the lighter Pyro had given him from his pocket, and flicks the lid off. The sound causes Spy to stiffen, and after another moment of hesitation, he lowers his hand and turns to face Scout.

He looks just like the photo, just older and a defeated look on his face.

"Are you happy now, Scout? Is this really what you wanted?" Spy asks, holding his hand out for the mask.

Scout's lower jaw trembles, and he stares in shock. Taking a step back.

"You... You fucking snake." Scout whispers. Spy blinks, surprised. "You're my father--- You fucking SNAKE!" Scout's sudden yelling surprises Spy. He doesn't say a word for a few seconds. Silence fills the void between then.

"You ain't even gonna defend yourself?" Scout scoffs. "I went.... 26 fuckin' years thinking that you were dead, but here you are... fucking alive and well, rich as ever. Was I just--- just not a good enough son for ya, is that what it is?" Scout walks closer to Spy, poking his chest. "Was Ma not good enough for ya?!"

"Your mother is a wonderful woman---" Spy starts.

"Then why'd you break her fucking heart?!" Scout yells. "Huh?! Was she not good enough for you?! Was she just another one of your stupid--- stupid little accessories that you got bored of and threw away?!"

"No--- Scout, let me explain---" Spy pushes Scout away. Scout doesn't want to listen to him. His vision goes red and he punches Spy. In the face. It's a strong enough punch that it knocks the Frenchman to the floor. Spy looks up at Scout, stunned.

"Jeremy..." Spy whispers. Scout doesn't listen. He lights the mask on fire and runs.

------------</3

part 2??? tomorrow Or today depending in my mood :)

Oooooooooh, angsty!!!! Welcome back, anon! I've also toyed around with the idea of Scout feeling not good enough.

#minificanon #tf2 #tf2 scout #tf2 spy #spydad

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sonkitty · 8 months ago

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The Sideburns Scheme Post #23

(For reference: The Sideburns Scheme)

Crowley, Good Omens 2, Episode 2, The Clue, blameless goats

...

Hairstyle Notes

The hair is longer and more fluffy than the previous scene. It is also longer than the scene that started off the whole episode and minisode.

From the front when closer to Aziraphale, it looks more red.

The curls themselves change, dependent on camera angle too. If one wishes to lean into the character POV approach, the more red hair seen from the front is possibly Aziraphale's POV.

I still prefer to NOT lean into such a thing and think of it as generally shared myself because I put so much stock into how important the hiss is for this scene. It's important for Crowley since it's such an integral part of his own Threshold Trick for himself (The Sunglasses Trick). It's important for Aziraphale to remember that it happened because it's part of the message he is receiving.

Crowley's hair is generally dynamic throughout season 2, and the present day of season 2 even shows it can change based on his emotions.

Regardless, we are now shown a new type of space for this era.

This space is a human-built structure with no roof. It has not experienced the damage the barn did. It will be damaged later through the storm. This space also has a fountain, so water is nearby. There are no humans on entry, and there will be no humans by the time this scene ends.

As such, this hairstyle is the closest match to a "supernatural" reading when comparing to the season 2 present day.

The space recognizes Crowley is a demon, or at least a supernatural being. The crows already within it are the goats he transformed into crows earlier in the minisode.

...

Earthly Objects

(For reference: Earthly Objects)

Most of the scene looks to be outright avoiding earthly object touches, largely to help focus on the events of the scene itself with the revelation that the crows were the goats. As such, Crowley was, in a way, "holding" an earthly object during the scene through a miracle touch. Aziraphale himself touched the crows through changing them back to their original forms as goats. Aziraphale used Crowley's name for the time period, "Crawley".

During this scene is the next touch of The Sunglasses Trick.

Here is a GIF:

This time, we're at the second Single of a group of three Singles that will become a Triple.

Crowley makes a pocket between his right arm and beard, using his right hand to touch the right end piece. This pocket exists for both cuts that show the touch. The arm casts a shadow over where the season 2 present day Tied Hands would be. His headband is like his substitute Belt Head. He received overhead lights before this set of minisode scenes started. He also didn't show his actual hands in the preceding scene.

The sunglasses are different than the last Single, he hissed, and he was miracle-holding crows-that-are-secretly-goats. As a reminder, the sunglasses being different are what demonstrate this group of three is the one for three Singles to become a Triple. The hissing is what they have in common for their eventual switch to a Triple.

This touch really stands out in the Threshold Tricks overall because it is the only touch that takes place in a minisode. All of the others are in the season 2 present day.

Why?

Well, I'm always theorizing though I believe in some of my theories more strongly than others, but nonetheless, here's a reminder that's what I'm doing before I give my answer.

As stated before, these minisodes are stories with hidden messages between Crowley and Aziraphale. Gabriel arrived with a cardboard box at least twice. With the possibility of making themselves forget things from the first time, the characters left themselves clues to solve their own puzzle.

This scene is giving Aziraphale a huge clue that amounts to "goats". I mean, it could do more and mean more, but that's the relevant part for a certain step he's going to take in the present day.

Among the various clues listed on the record is "Goat Gate," so Aziraphale will consider the clues from the minisode, including the goats that are part of this scene, and decide to get himself to Goat Gate.

The next touch for The Sunglasses Trick will not be until episode 5.

Time to pay attention to the pockets.

After Crowley crosses the threshold on entry, he is shown pocketed between two plant stands before Aziraphale arrives.

When Aziraphale is first shown, he's also revealed to have passed a pocket of two plant stands.

I don't think these plant stand pockets mean much more than a general clue about how important the plants are for the season 2 overall connection and ending with The Door Trick, The Door Catch, and the maintained Green of Rainbow Connection.

Probably one of the most important pockets in the scene, communicating the same thing as above, is when Aziraphale and Crowley themselves are pocketing a plant as Aziraphale challenges Crowley to look him in the eye before the hiss. This pocket disappears after Crowley says his full line about "blameless goats", then briefly reappears as Aziraphale starts to walk away.

Crowley's robe makes a pocket with itself and the ground that is generally shadowy and black. It further opens slightly over the ground while the first crow bleats like a goat. That serves as a clue that yes, Crowley somehow lowered his guard enough to let it be known the crows were goats.

The last cut shows Crowley and Aziraphale pocketing the goats, before that cut is pushed away to the camera's left.

...

For my tangential reading progress, I finished re-reading Good Omens. I discussed some of that in this post here: Finished Re-Reading Good Omens. I have a lot more highlights and thoughts, but I don't have the energy to go over them in a post like this one, for now.

I started reading Eric by Terry Pratchett this morning.

...

Story Commentary

Here we are again in the minisode with Crowley first, then Aziraphale. This time we are connected from a scene where we entered by looking at a book. Both of them were on screen, and Crowley received the focus to imply he was the one remembering that previous scene.

Eventually, we're going to pull out of this book and be left with Aziraphale, leaving us to assume that Crowley left sometime during the recollection of the minisode.

This scene is more serious than their last encounter because Aziraphale regards Crowley as a serious threat who destroyed Job's goats and on his way to destroy Job's children.

Crowley himself doesn't seem to take things seriously until Aziraphale draws closer and challenges him by saying he, Aziraphale, doesn't think he, Crawley, wants to destroy Job's children.

The two continue into a more dramatic confrontation that includes the touch on the sunglasses with the hiss.

Before that hiss, Aziraphale brings up the angel Crawley was, and Crawley says quite pointedly, "The angel you knew is not me."

This same angel was shown to not give his name in Before the Beginning.

Season 1 gave us more than one scene showing Crowley doesn't like being a demon. He remarked that he just hung around the wrong people, that he only ever asked questions, that he never asked to be a demon, and so on. Season 2 shows us here—and will show again—that doesn't mean he wants or wanted to go back to being an angel.

Season 2 also doesn't show us Crowley having the same level of regret at his demonic status that season 1 did. The Earthly Objects game even goes so far as to demonstrate Crowley play rather strategically, taking advantage of his status as a snake-eyed demon. The sunglasses are his door, yes, but they are also his accessory. They can switch and give the preferred points he wants within the game, dependent on his own play. He receives multiple Overhead Lights to his left, including and especially the sun in The Door Trick.

He said "former demon" in front of Shax earlier, but he'll drop the "former" when talking to Muriel later.

Moving on, Aziraphale still challenges Crowley further to look him in the eye and tell him he, Crawley, wants to do the destroying of Job's children.

Not only do we see the hiss, we are shown a specific choice in wording by Crowley in what he says, which is, "I want to. I long to destroy the blameless children of blameless Job, just as I destroyed his blameless goats."

It sounds menacing and works effectively. It's actually a lot like the mixed tutorial sequence we received in episode 1, in that there is a hidden truth within a lie. There is a big lie here of Crowley destroying the goats. He didn't do that. There is a truth within that lie. He longs to "destroy" the children just as he did the goats—which would be, not destroying them. Also, Rule of Three. The word "blameless" was used 3 times.

Crowley's lie and hiss are so effective that the lighting shifts to indicate Aziraphale's angel light dimmed, and Crowley's demon darkness darkened by making his robe look significantly more black.

Season 1 showed us Aziraphale can lie to Crowley in its present day and get away with it. Season 2 shows us, at least in 2500 BC, Crowley could lie to Aziraphale and get away with it.

With Aziraphale feeling defeated, Crowley lets Aziraphale learn the truth. That's then Crowley taking a chance on trusting Aziraphale this far back in their history together.

Aziraphale figures out the crows are goats and looks rather pleased with himself for doing so.

With the last cut shifting the way it does to the camera's left, it's reasonable to think that could be Crowley leaving the room.

However, Crowley's next present day scene is going to be the first touch of The Pocket Trick. We just had another touch in The Sunglasses Trick. The Tied Hands were retied before we entered the book to watch this part of the minisode.

If possible, something in this minisode should retie them, besides just being a minisode. I suspect that something is going to be the part with a sign saying, "THE NEXT DAY". I don't know if that means Crowley leaves the room when that part is happening on screen or not, but it's the type of thing I look for when playing the games of the story. I'll mention another oddity he does with his hands later when Job's children are restored, in the scene before we actually get back to the season 2 present day.

...

That's it for this post. Sometimes I edit my posts, FYI.

...

Main post:

The Sideburns Scheme

#crowley #good omens 2 #good omens #good omens s2 #david tennant #good omens season 2 #good omens analysis #good omens meta #good omens crowley #crowley good omens #good omens theory #good omens theories #good omens clues

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cainluvr69 · 1 year ago

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Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 23

Previous Chapter

Cain: …kh…

Chloe: I can't…breathe…

Hwylryn: Of course not. This is the bottom of the ocean. Children of man aren't meant to live here. So can you hurry back to land already? Anyway… I guess I should be getting back to Shylock now.

Rustica: …My apologies, but… I'd like you to accompany us for just a bit longer. <Amo…> …gh!

Chloe: Rustica…!

Hwylryn: Nope, you don't get to do that. Your singing makes me start daydreaming. The next whirlpool is going to take you right up to the surface. Don't try to fight it. It's pointless. And it'll only rip you up.

Rutile: …Hwylryn…! Please, listen to what I have to say…

Hwylryn: I'll see you tomorrow. On land. Now withdraw.

Cain: …I won't…let you…! Uwaaahhh…!

Rutile: Aaahhh…!

Rustica: …Chloe…!

Chloe: Rus… Everyone…!

Natalie?: <Cure Memini>

Hwylryn: …Oh, my.

Cain: …You…you're… The lady from earlier…?!

Natalie?: … Excuse me…?

Cain: You were really a wizard?!

Natalie?: Excuse me? The fact that you can see me should give you all the answers you need.

Cain: …Huh? I mean, we got pretty touchy-feely earlier.

Natalie?: We did?

Cain: Huh?

Natalie?: Hah?

Cain: …You're Owen!

Natalie?: Sir Knight. Don't tell me you did something unbecoming of a knight to this woman.

Cain: Of course I didn't! I just didn't have a handkerchief, so…

Owen: You don't even have something like that? Chloe, can you believe this. Cain doesn't have a handkerchief.

Chloe: …sniff…Owen…

Owen: Heh. What, did this guy make you cry? What a wretched sea snake you are.

Hwylryn: Oho. Something interesting showed up.

Owen: I'm going to turn you into dog food. <Cuare Morito>

Hwylryn: I don't think that little puppy's tummy can fit me.

Owen: …kh… (This guy is…strong…!)

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox?: …!

Faust: … (Leno's moving his arms the same way the mermaids with spears did, now that he has one at hand…)

Shino: Faust, watch out! Lennox is good with a lance!

Faust: …I know that…!

Lennox?: …!

Faust: …Waugh…!

Heathcliff: Mr. Faust…! (He forced Faust against the reef, and now he's lifting his spear…!) (He's going to stab him…!) Lennox, stop! Please, don't hurt him…!

Lennox?: …

Heathcliff: …He stopped…

Shino: Lennox…

Faust: … …Leno…

Lennox?: …… …Lord…st…

Faust: …! Leno…!

Lennox?: …!

Faust: …?!

Shino: Stop, Lennox! Don't hurt him…! You'll regret it until the day you die if you do…!

Lennox?: … ……. …

Shino: You can't! Put the lance down…!

Lennox?: …!

Faust: Leno?! Why did you stab your own leg…?! Stop! Stop, let go of it…!

Lennox: …gh…

Faust: Leno! Leno…! Stop it, your leg's already hurt enough…!

Lennox: …Fau…st… …Lord Faust…

Faust: …Leno…

Heathcliff: Mr. Faust! We finished the circle!

Shino: All we need to do is scatter the firstlight salt… Done! <Matzah Sudipas>!

Heathcliff: <Repsev Aivulp Sunos>!

Faust: … <Salliuqnart Mulcredo>!

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox: Hah… …Haah… …

Faust: Leno…!

Lennox: …Lord Faust… Woah…!

Faust: …I'm so glad you're okay… Alec told me your unit might have been completely wiped out…

Lennox: Several others survived as well. Things seemed hopeless, but we still managed to return alive.

Faust: Thank god…

Lennox: …

Faust: …What's wrong?

Lennox: I'm just surprised.

Faust: By what?

Lennox: I didn't think that you'd jump on me the same way Lord Alec does.

Faust: Sorry. Are you hurt anywhere?

Lennox: No. …Haha…

Faust: What…? I don't hear you laugh very often…

Lennox: Haha… I could say the same to you.

Faust: I do laugh. More than you, at least.

Lennox: That's true…

Faust: …Haha…

Lennox: Ahaha!

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox: … …That's right… …I'd forgotten… I found him, Courir. I found the person I'd been looking for. I need to go to him. I'm glad I got to see you again. You always trusted me. And you were always by my side. I never really spoiled you, but you still always slept next to me. I love you very, very much. And having to part with you hurts very, very much. But, I need to… Goodbye. I love you. Goodbye, Courir. I hope you can run freely as far as you want. Thank you.

✦✧☾✧✦

Faust: …Leno… Leno…!

Lennox: … …Lord Faust… Woah…!

Faust: …Thank goodness…

Lennox: …

Faust: …Sorry. I did that when I know you're injured…

Lennox: No… …Haha…

Faust: …Are you okay? He's not controlling you anymore?

Lennox: No… I should be fine now.

Shino: Lennox, are you okay?!

Heathcliff: Lennox! Do you know who we are?!

Lennox: Yes, I do. I do know. … I can't clearly recall what happened, but I'm sorry for putting you through so much trouble…

Faust: Don't say that… Let me look at your wounds. Give me your leg…

Lennox: …

Faust: Lennox…?!

Shino: Did he pass out?!

Faust: He must be completely exhausted. I should get him out of the ocean as soon as possible. The two of you must be at your limits, too.

Heathcliff: You're right… I still feel okay for right now, though.

Faust: Shino, Heathcliff.

Shino: What.

Heathcliff: What is it?

Faust: This was only possible because of the two of you. Thank you.

Shino & Heathcliff: …!

Shino: Heh, yeah!

Heathcliff: It's an honor!

Faust: Let's return to the water's surface. Vespa, can you show us the path up?

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: Let's go, Shino!

Shino: Yeah!

✦✧☾✧✦

Owen: <Cure Memini>

Hwylryn: Ahaha! This is fun!

Owen: …tsk!

Rustica: I'll support you! <Amores Viesse>

Hwylryn: You're kind of annoying.

Rustica: …cough…!

Chloe: Rustica!

Rustica: ……!

Rutile: Rustica…!

Rustica: …

Rutile: Oh no…! Rustica isn't breathing!

Chloe: What do we do…?! Rustica! Rustica!

Rutile: We need to bring him to the surface!

Owen: Then get on with it. Or else your teacher's gonna turn to stone!

Chloe: But…!

Owen: Whatever, just go. You're at your limit.

Chloe: Owen…

Owen: Tch… Yeah, that was stupid. You're going to die here. Just like I thought you would.

Cain: Go, Chloe! I've got things covered here!

Rutile: I'll stay, too! Please look after Rustica for us!

Chloe: …Okay…! Thank you…! (I need to hurry! I need to hurry!) (I'm definitely going to save you, Rustica!)

Owen: Hmph… And what do the two of you think you can do?

Cain: Swordplay and magic.

Rutile: I can heal, and fly very, very fast.

Owen: Lame… Just so you know, if I die, the two of you have exactly zero chance of winning. So if I die, just run.

Cain: … No, I won't.

Rutile: I won't, either.

Owen: Super lame…

Hwylryn: Are you guys ready yet?

Owen: The lamest one here is you.

Hwylryn: I like your dog!

Owen: Shut up. <Cure Memini>

Hwylryn: Let's play.

✦✧☾✧✦

Torta di Cocco Shopkeeper: Here, it's finished baking.

Riquet: Wahh, it looks so tasty!

Mitile: It smelled so good while it was in the oven!

Nero: Hmm… Y'think you could teach me the recipe?

Mithra: Is it done? Can I take it to the bottom of the sea now?

Mitile: N-not yet! It needs the cream and coconut on top first.

Mithra: Then can you hurry, at least?

Mitile: If you could, please!

Torta di Cocco Shopkeeper: Yes, of course.

Claudia: My, what a delicious-looking cake.

Riquet: Yes! Thank you for being willing us to let us have your cake so we could know how it tastes. I'm incredibly grateful.

Claudia: My, what a good boy you are. I'm happy I could meet you boys again, in fact. It sounds like you've helped Dianne out a lot, too.

Riquet: How is Dianne doing…?

Nero: She's talkin' to Bradley right now.

Riquet: Did she ask Bradley to help her?

Nero: Uh, somethin' like that.

Riquet: Thank goodness. She seemed to be having a very difficult time, and Bradley can be a very helpful person.

Nero: …True that.

Claudia: Both I and my sister should have realized how much Dianne was hurting so much faster than we did… No, I'm sure my sister knew. That must be why she tried to turn that story into a heartwarming tale, to try and take her pain away. But instead, that simply made Dianne feel like no one would protect her honor…

Riquet: It's a very complicated problem. Even with so much love and kindness given to her, her pain prevented her from finding her path… Guiding people is a very difficult prospect. It's important to carefully ascertain if what lies at the end of the path you lead them down will truly be good or not… Wanting someone to walk down a path is very similar to forcing them to think and act a particular way. It's frightening. I wonder what Bradley is telling her? Do you think it'd be okay if I listened in?

Nero: Nahh, that's prob'ly not a good idea. I don't think her Lordship would wanna have anyone eavesdroppin'.

Riquet: I suppose you're right…

Mithra: Excuuuuse meeee. We don't have any time to chat like this.

Nero: I know, man. Just wait a lil' bit longer. Actually, speakin' of, Claudia. There was somethin' I wanted to ask you about the disappearances…

Claudia: Yes, I suppose I'll spill the beans. I've seen a door through which I could see the past on the island's shore. I can't help but wonder if that door isn't related to the disappearances.

Riquet: A door to the past… That story we heard was real? Did you really see the past?

Claudia: No, it was just an illusion.

Mitile: What kind of illusion did you see?

Claudia: A man I fell in love with many years ago stepped through it and told me he loved me.

Mitile: I… I see.

Claudia: But he'd never said those words to me before, not even once. It was very obvious it was just an illusion. We had a good relationship, and he was a good friend. But though I fell in love with him, his status was far too high… He already had a fiancee before we even met. And yet, here is what I thought to myself. Perhaps if I open that door, I can see him again… Were it twenty years earlier, I imagine I would've found myself drawn to that door despite myself.

Riquet: Why not now?

Claudia: Because the paint I drew up my dream with has long since dried.

Riquet: You painted your dream…?

Claudia: The things that make your heart tremble and dance are what make your dreams shine so brightly, like light on a freshly-painted canvas. He was the one who said that to me. The paint of my dream has dried, and my heart has calmed down and put itself in its place, and so… I can't go back to such fresh and youthful excitement, not when I'm so afraid of so much as brushing against it, much less taking it into my hands directly. It's like appreciating how a cake is decorated before demolishing it with your fork, to put it another way.

Riquet: I…think I understand…

Claudia: Because the paint of my dream had already dried, and left it calm and quiet, hearing him say that didn't make my heart dance. It was an odd feeling, both lonely and relieving at the same time.

Riquet: Like looking at your plate after you've finished your cake?

Claudia: Yes. It's not like being scared of destroying something, but more like having properly eaten and savored it instead. But Dianne's dreams are still bright. They're delicate, strong, and still gasping for air. Just like fresh paint on a canvas. The idea of touching them before they're ready and smudging their colors into one she doesn't want, polluting her canvas forever, is terrifying. That's how it feels, looking at the beautiful, vivid scenery she's painted. It's as if time has stopped in place.

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox: …ah…

Faust: Leno, are you okay? I'm going to get you to the surface soon. Just hold on tight to me.

Lennox: …Yes…Lord Faust…

✦✧☾✧✦

Dianne: …What do you mean by throwing away my fear? Are you going to cast a spell on me?

Bradley: …

Dianne: Or are you planning on providing counsel? How am I meant to do this without trembling?

Bradley: What do you think? We're here to talk about you, girl.

Dianne: …What is there to talk about…? … …Things always go so well in my imagination. …I can always make the best, safest decision for everyone, without making a single mistake in the process. I've worked ever since I was a child to become that kind of person. And yet, this is what happens instead… I'm sure my grandfather would be disappointed in me. …I'm so pathetic…

Bradley: Y'don't have to change who you are. Y'don't have to be someone you aren't.

Dianne: …But if they knew about the real me, they'd all laugh… I don't want them to laugh at me…I'm weak, and pitiful…and embarrassing…

Bradley: 'Course you don't. Who wants to be turned into a laughingstock? But I won't laugh at you. You're tryin' to fulfill your responsibilities, and that's why you're standin' here.

Dianne: …

Bradley: You good? I've got something I used to say to newbies right after they joined up, to get 'em to throw away their fear.

Dianne: Newbies…? Were you the leader of some kind of organization?

Bradley: Yeah, a bandit gang. That's why I'm a prisoner now. Still wanna hear what I have to say?

Dianne: …Yes… I want to hear you out. Please, tell me.

Bradley: Alright. Everyone's experiences protect 'em, no matter what that experience is. Failures, successes, all of 'em do the same thing. But newbies like you don't have any experience to protect yourself with. And at times like that, when y'don't have any foundation to prop yourself up with, you start doin' weird shit like this. Y'start thinkin' that if you don't protect your honor all on your own, you won't have a place to belong anymore. Even though you don't know right from left yet. So, here's what I tell 'em. You ready to jot this down? I'll protect you. I'll protect your life, your honor, your perspective. So you need to protect your comrades.

Dianne: …

Bradley: Dianne. You're about to walk out that gate and talk to the crowd, yeah?

Dianne: Yes.

Bradley: If for whatever reason you can't do it, I'll talk for you. And I'll hold that position 'til you're ready to take it from me. If anyone tries to jump on you, I'll protect you from 'em. But I've got a feelin' you'll be able to do just fine without me havin' to do a damn thing.

Dianne: …

Bradley: Remember. You're the lord of this whole big-ass castle. That ain't your average job. And you were the one who made it there. Have more faith in yourself. Anythin' else you're scared of?

Dianne: … I…don't think so… Why not…? I was so scared, but now…

Bradley: Don't hold back now. If there's anythin' worryin' you, just say it.

Dianne: … You're not lying? You're not going to betray me…?

Bradley: 'Course not. Hell, if people found out I turned on a little lass like you, that'd just make me more infamous and not in a good way. I'm not gonna betray you, Dianne. On my honor, I'll protect your honor. Now step forward. The first step's always the scariest. The rest'll be a piece of cake. Don't be scared. I'm right next to you.

Dianne: …sniff…okay… …I understand. I'm going now!

Bradley: Hell yeah! You got this!

Next Chapter

#.mhyktl #.eventtl #.main story tl #4th anni

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holly-louisexox · 6 months ago

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Ribcage X Andy Biersack- Part 23

Masterlist

"There's one thing you should know about me Delia Vincent, I don't date. Got no heart to break and emptiness is safe, keep it that way."

He was adamant in his choices…

…But then things changed.

"Hey, you've reached Delia Vincent. I'm sorry I can't take your call right now. Please leave your name and number and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

"It's just going straight to voicemail now. Can they still track a phone if it's dead?" Andy asks in frustration looking up at Shevy and his bandmates.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure they use the last known location." Jake replies trying to bring some hope to his lead singer.

It had been 2 days since the police officer had interviewed them all, and now all the group could do was sit around and wait. Wait for good news, an update, a miracle; that so far had never come.

"I'm such a fucking idiot!" Andy screams throwing his phone to the floor and cracking the screen, not that he cared. A cracked phone screen was easy to replace, but the woman he adored was not. "Delia is missing and it's all my fault."

"Andy, I know you're upset but you can't keep blaming yourself." Shevy shakes her head slightly. "I get it, I feel guilty too because I was right there, I should have been firmer about her leaving by herself, I should have just followed her but I didn't."

"But none of this would have happened if I wasn't such a dick!" Andy shouts slightly making Shevy flinch. "Shevy, I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. If anything it's refreshing to see you show your emotions again." Shevy smiles before sitting down next to him and wrapping an arm around his shoulders to try and bring him some form of comfort and lighten the mood a bit.

"To tell the truth, I thought Delia was attractive from the moment I met her." Andy sighs finally feeling himself wanting to open up to the group more. "Not just in the way of 'oh she's pretty' like I felt drawn to her and I didn't understand why, but I didn't want to allow these emotions, these feelings, to get into the mix. I thought if I fucked her if I slept with her, it would resolve the idea in my head. Instead, I only fucked my head further."

"Look, it's been a weird tour and we're facing an unexpected and difficult moment, I know, but we'll find her. We just have to try and stay positive." Lonny pipes up trying to bring some light into the conversation. Andy opening up was a big thing to all of them, whilst they were glad he was finally doing it they were now worried that he would do something reckless which was the last thing any of them wanted or needed.

"Unexpected? No, no we knew what was happening here in Seattle and I, like an idiot, let her walk away!" Andy's rant was soon cut off by Lonny's phone ringing.

"Withheld number?" Lonny questions before answering it and putting it on loudspeaker so the rest of the group could hear what the call was about. "Hello?"

"Hello, is this Mr Eagleton speaking?" The voice asks through the phone.

"Yes, it is." Lonny replies still feeling confused as to who could be calling

"This is Seattle Police calling, is now a good time to talk?" The voice asks on the other end.

"Now is fine, yes." Lonny gulps slightly, did have have an update? Good news? Bad news?

"I just wanted to give you an update to say that we have managed to track the location of Miss Vincent's phone." The voice explains making everyone gain a look of hope at finding their friend "We will be sending a group out tomorrow to locate the phone and search for Miss Vincent in the hopes that she is somewhere in the area."

"That's great!" Lonny smiles "Thank you for letting us know."

"Mr Eagleton, I do just want to prepare you and your friends in case the worst should happen, these situations do not often have a happy ending. I'm sorry son." The officer sighs slightly killing the mood of the room, that's when Andy's face completely changes and those same tears he's been letting loose for the last few days come pouring back down his face.

"Right... Right, yeah. Okay, thank you." Lonny's voice shakes slightly.

"If I have another update I will let you know. If you or your friends need any support during this difficult time please do not hesitate to give us a call and we can get you some help." The officer explains. "Have a good rest of the day."

"Yeah, you too, bye." Lonny gulps before ending the call.

The whole group just continued to sit in silence in the hotel room they were in whilst looking at one another. Soon enough, all attention was drawn to Andy as they watched him stand up from his chair.

"This is bullshit! Why the hell are they waiting until tomorrow? If they wait until tomorrow it could be too late, it's almost like they don't want to bring her back safe." Andy kicks off as he kicks his already broken phone in a random direction of the room. Suddenly, something clicked in Andy and the anger that filled his facial features melted away to show a much more tired and vulnerable version of himself. "What if they know it's too late? What if... What if they're preparing to... to bring back her body?" Andy starts stuttering and shaking at the mere thought of what he had just said.

"Andy, Delia's smart. I'm sure she'll find a way to survive this monster." Jake stands up to place a hand on Andy's shoulder, this kind gesture instantly pushed away by Andy who has anger filling his facial features again.

"You don't know that though Jake! No one knows what this person is capable of, hell we don't even know if it's a man or a woman the news has only guessed. Regardless they've already killed, what's to stop them doing the same to Delia?" Andy rants feeling his fists clench into balls as his nails dig into his flesh forming half-cresent moons in their wake. "I know I've been trying to quit, but fuck this shit, I need a smoke."

Scrambling to pick up his broken phone from the floor, he's glad to see that despite the cracked screen it still springs to life at the press of a button. Shoving it into his jacket pocket he's then storming out of the room leaving the group to look behind him.

CC had seen many true crime documentaries in his life, but he never thought he would be caught up in the middle of one. Like the police officer said, these situations rarely have a happy ending. That triggered him to speak up for the first time in a while.

"What are we going to do if things do turn sour?" He asks.

"CC, don't talk like that." Jinxx pipes up whacking the drummer around the back of the head.

"But I'm just saying, what if it does? Look how Andy handled the divorce with Juliet, it's been years and he's only just come back to his senses because of Delia. If we lose Delia, this is going to destroy him more than it already is. I don't know how we could bring him back from that, he'll go completely off the rails." CC worries.

"I think, should that happen, we just need to make sure we're there for him; more than we have been already." Lonny explains "But until we have a closing answer we just need to try and be as positive as we can about the situation as hope that Delia is found safe."

"Yeah, I agree." Shevy nods "Jake's right, Delia's smart, I'm sure she'll be able to figure something out, she always does. We just need to remember though that the Delia that comes back to us might not be the same."

"God, yeah, I dread to think what this creep could have done to her already, she must be terrified." Jake continues "I hope we all know this isn't going to be easy for anyone. Whatever we're all feeling, Andy is probably feeling 100 times worse. Delia is also going to need a lot of emotional support when the police find her. It's probably going to be a rough few months."

"Well, doesn't look like we'll be touring again anytime soon." Jinxx jokes trying to lighten the vibe that surrounds the room.

"Dude." CC rolls his eyes before taking revenge and whacking him around the head.

"Just trying to lighten the mood." Jinxx puts his hands up in surrender.

They all knew this was going to be rough regardless of the outcome. Everyone was just praying that Delia would be found safe and soon. The sooner all of this was over the sooner it would just become another bad memory.

#andy biersack #andy black #andy bvb #cc bvb #jake bvb #jake pitts #jinxx bvb #lonny bvb #lonny eagleton #black veil brides #bvb #black veil brides fanfic #bvb fanfic

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its-jaytothemee · 7 months ago

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Until I Met You - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Faith, Trust, and...Pixie Dust?

Pairings: Halsin x Tav

Word count: 5,520

Rating: Currently M, will be Explicit in later chapters.

Read on AO3

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Summary: Halsin and Tav still struggle to come to terms with Ketheric Thorm's continued survival. But Tav finds a little hope in the darkness as well as another little addition to their camp. Part 23 of the slow burn fic. Tav and Halsin POVs.

Tags: Slow burn, mutual pining, hurt/comfort, emotional hurt/comfort, fluff, eventual love confessions, eventual smut, angst, implied past rape/non-con and abuse, graphic description of injuries, brief suicidal thoughts.

A/N: Once again, a few story lines/game quests may be happening a little out of order just so I can keep a good pace for the story. I kinda forgot how much happens at Last Light the second you walk in...XD.

But enjoy some fun party banter and more sweet Halsin/Tav moments <3

Tav watched as Halsin dashed out of Last Light. Guilt ripped through her watching him leave. She meant to tell him about Ketheric sooner, but they had just been bombarded with so much new information in the last hour.

“What was that about?” Karlach stood next to Tav, staring at the entryway Halsin just ran through.

“Ketheric Thorm was the man we fought against one hundred years ago. He’s the reason the shadow curse plagues this land,” Tav explained. Tears stung her eyes and her chest tightened.

“It is difficult news to process. The Harpers lost many that day, but the Emerald Enclave…” Jaheira trailed off to take a deep breath. “Their numbers still have not recovered from the massacre they suffered.”

“Poor bear man…” Karlach stuck her bottom lip out slightly. “But you were here too, weren’t you, Tav?”

“Yes. But I never saw Ketheric in the flesh, just his Dark Justiciars and other Shar followers.” She couldn’t hold the glare back that she shot at Shadowheart.

Tension hung in the air, a single word could have easily snapped it in two. Rather than indulge her snippy comment, Shadowheart just stormed from the room. The rest of them shared uncomfortable looks between one another.

“So…what now?” Karlach spoke up to end the uneasy silence.

“You guys finish up here, I’m going to go find Halsin before we leave.” Tav gestured to Karlach and Wyll.

“Do not take long, Tav’a–” Jaheira caught herself as Tav met her gaze with a panicked look. She covered her stutter with a cough. “Tav. The cult is moving, and this ambush might just be your miracle protection against the shadows.”

Tav gave her a quick nod before running after Halsin. She stopped in the courtyard to look side to side to try and find him. A roar sounded off to her left, startling her. The strange sound reminded her of the first time they met when he was in bear form in the goblin camp. She followed it to a small lake nearby where she saw a large cave bear curled up near the shore.

“Halsin?” She called out softly.

The bear’s head turned towards her, the sadness in his eyes bringing more tears to hers.

“Oh, hello Tav.” He laid his head back onto his paws. “Would you like me to change back so we can talk?”

“No, that’s okay. If you’d rather stay a bear right now, we can talk like this.” He seemed to relax at her suggestion. Tav took a seat next to him.

“Halsin, I…” She sighed as she trailed off. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about Ketheric right away. I just–”

“It’s not that.” His voice was more gruff in this form. Each word had a slight rumble to it rather than his usual deep, smooth tone.

She waited silently for him to continue.

“I always told myself no matter what happened, at least we defeated Ketheric Thorm. That at least his blight had been removed from the world. And now…” He let out a small grunt. “Now I can’t help but feel it was all for naught. I lost nearly everything that day, Tav.”

Halsin curled up further into himself. She scooted closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, nestling her hands in the thick fur.

“So did I.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean–” he started to apologize, but Tav cut him off.

“Don’t apologize. I don’t say that to diminish your own pain or to gain more sympathy, Halsin. I say it to remind you that you’re not alone here.” She felt some of the tension leave his body at her words.

“And I’m grateful. But I know that your attention must remain fixed on the Absolute, and while I’m still here to lend my aid where possible, my priority must remain elsewhere.”

“The curse?” She had guessed his motivations were different from their own one of the first days he stayed with them in camp.

“Yes. I have a responsibility to this land, to see it shining under the sun again.” Even as a bear, the guilt in his eyes was plain to see.

Tav nodded along as he talked. Her hatred of Shar and the curse mirrored his own. In some ways maybe even surpassed it. Seeing how the shadows affected Halsin strengthened that hate. Further still, she was learning that there was very little she wouldn’t do to help him and see him smile.

“Then I do as well.”

“This is my burden to bear. I do not wish to add more troubles to your already overburdened mind, my friend. Besides, you may not consider yourself a Harper any longer, but it is clear you still hold their ideals close to your heart. I know you will not risk the fate of the entire Sword Coast to save one small realm within it.”

“Who says I have to choose between them?” She stroked the spot between his shoulders, causing a soft sigh from him. “The curse came from Ketheric as far as we know, yes? And he serves the Absolute now. If that’s the case, lifting it may weaken him, or perhaps defeating him for good this time will be the key to banishing the shadows.”

“Perhaps.” His voice remained quiet and sad.

“No one can break through such hardship alone, right? Let me help you lift the veil, Halsin.” His golden eyes shone in the nearby light of the moon shield, that first night they spent by the glowing pond clear as ever in her mind. He had been a source of comfort and warmth for her throughout their adventure, she wanted nothing more than to be the same for him.

“I do not deserve you, my friend.” His lips twitched up in what she could only assume was the bear form of a smile. She wrapped her arms around his thick neck and buried her face in his fur. The bristles tickled her cheeks as she hugged him tight.

I’ve always wanted to hug a bear.

“A few of us are going to be joining some of the Harpers on an ambush against an Absolute caravan. Everyone else is going to wait here until we return. Hopefully we’ll find a way to pass through the shadows and then after that, we can start investigating Moonrise and a way to get rid of this damned curse.”

“Oak Father watch over you, my friend.”

“I’ll return with the others shortly. We’ll talk more once we make camp, yeah?” He leaned into her as she tried to pull away. She wanted so badly to stay here with him, to curl up near his thick pelt to keep warm against the cold tendrils of shadow swirling around them. But that was not a luxury they could afford right now.

“Of course.”

Tav released him from her grip as she stood up to rejoin her companions. She gave him one final pat on the back before leaving. At the top of the small slope just past the moon shield, Lae’zel, Astarion, and Gale were waiting for her.

“The Harpers are waiting for us on the bridge, my friend. Are you ready?” Gale pointed his thumb towards the entrance to Last Light.

She spared one more look to the lakeside. Halsin had returned to his elf form and now sat cross-legged at the water’s edge staring across the dark horizon. How she longed to remain sitting at his side. As much as it pained her to admit, that was not her duty today.

“I’m ready.”

***

Halsin returned to his normal elven self as he sat by the lake’s edge. As comforting as it was, he tried not to hide behind the bear for longer than needed. He turned slightly, hoping to get one last glimpse of Tav before she left, but they had already gone. Rather than sit out amongst the shadows alone, he made his way back to the safety of the moon shield. Protection spell or no, the shadowy creatures that plagued the land could still ambush him.

As he made his way back to the inn, he caught glimpses of the looks on the tieflings’ faces around him. He tried to smile at them, or wave, but he was met with apprehensive stares and averted gazes. The only one willing to speak with him was Alfira, the kindhearted bard that used to sing and play her music at a small spot overlooking the heart of the grove. He used to sit at the base of the hill and listen to the soft strums of her lute and quiet humming.

“Hello, Alfira, isn’t it?” Halsin sat on a nearby stool at the hearth.

“Yes, hello Master Halsin.” She wiped her eyes on her sleeve.

“It’s just Halsin, please.” He folded his hands on the stone in front of him. “Are you alright?”

“As good as I can be, I suppose.” She sat up a little straighter as she addressed him, still subconsciously treating him as a person of authority.

“I was wondering if you could tell me what happened.” Halsin kept his voice low and gentle. “No one else is willing to look at me let alone speak with me.”

“Many still struggle to move past their treatment by the other druids.” She hesitated, like she wasn’t sure she could tell him.

“I see. Please accept my most humble apologies. Had I known my absence would have caused such grief, I would not have left.”

She gave him a small smile. “That’s kind of you to say. You were always kind to us.”

He tried to return the look, but the shame he felt at the lack of hospitality by those who followed him clouded his expression. To this day, the harsh reactions of the druids in the grove astonished him.

“We heard the others were captured, that Zevlor was lost.” Halsin prodded. “If you can tell me anything, I’d be most grateful. But I understand if it’s too difficult to recall right now.”

“No, it’s okay.” She took a shaky breath as she told him of their journey from the grove. They had been ambushed by cultists as they tried to sneak through the weakest parts of the shadows. Zevlor had tried to convince them to surrender but ended up captured. Many were killed, the others taken to Moonrise. Once they knew they were defeated, the rest ran until they found Last Light Inn.

“First Lihala, then Lakrissa…” Her eyes filled with tears once more as she gripped her lute close to her chest. “And now they took Mol too? How low does this cult steep that they kidnap children?”

Alfira had spent much of her time with the children in their convoy. They all looked up to her and loved her dearly.

“I’m so sorry, Alfira.” Halsin couldn’t think of anything else to say. This group of refugees had been to the literal hells and back, nothing he could say right now would be of any significant comfort. She nodded in response.

“I should go check on the kids again. Losing Mol was…difficult for them. And we still haven’t seen Arabella since the ambush.” She stood up, and Halsin followed suit.

“If they’re alive, Tav will find them.” He tried to assure her. “She won’t leave them behind.”

“I know.” Alfira’s smile returned. “You’re very lucky to be in her company.”

“That I am.”

He settled back into his seat as Alfira walked away. Last Light still bustled with Harpers, Fists, and tieflings alike despite the earlier attack. Shadowheart sat stewing in a corner across from him. Her arms and legs were crossed, and she wore a sour look on her face as she scanned the inn. Karlach and Wyll came over to join him by the hearth after a while, passing the time with idle chatter, waiting for their companions to return. Hopefully with a way for them to pass through the shadows.

***

Tav stood with the other Harpers basking in the glow of the moonlantern. The fight with the drider had been vicious. Two of the Harpers that accompanied them had fallen in the battle. They had fallen protecting her. But now, lying motionless on the ground with its legs curled up into its torso, the drider had released its grip on the moonlantern.

“I’m so sorry for your losses.” Tav walked up to the Harpers kneeling by their fallen comrades.

“At least we got what we came for, I can feel the magic of that lantern surrounding us. Like the shadows are being burned away.” Lassandra said, dutiful as ever. “Use it well, make sure their sacrifices are not in vain.”

“I shall do no less.” She clasped the Harper’s arm in a friendly handshake.

As she approached the lantern, she could just make out the tiny pixie trapped inside.

“Oh please, oh golly me-oh-my, you must release me, or I’ll die.” The tiny fey creature knocked furiously on the walls of the lantern.

“This lantern only lights the way when I am hurting night and day!”

“We need a way to walk among these shadows. If I free you, can you help us?” Tav asked with hesitation, she knew how tricksome the little fey creatures could be.

“It would be my pleasure, truly! Once I’m free, I’ll help you duly.” The chipper voice responded in an almost song-like manner.

“Ugh, such uninspired rhymes.” Astarion made a face.

She investigated the moonlantern, trying to discern a door or lock that could release the pixie. A small lever on one of the side panels opened the main compartment of the lantern and allowed a tiny, purple pixie to come flitting out into the shadows.

“Finally!” She shouted as she stretched her arms and wings in the air. “Been trapped in that coffin with nothing but a mad drider and my own farts for company.”

“Um, sounds unpleasant.” Tav dropped the now useless lantern to the ground.

“You don’t know the half of it, big ears.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “Did me a good turn, though. What do I owe you?”

“We need to get through this shadow curse. Can you help us?”

“I mean, I can. But will I?” She tapped her nose as she pondered the thought. Tav felt a brief stab of panic. Pixies were tricky little fey, choosing to help or harm based on their ever-shifting whims.

“Yeah, sure. Why not.” She conjured a small bell into her hands. “Give this bell a shake, speak the magic words, and you’ll get what you’ve earned.”

Tav let out her held breath as she took the pixie bell. When she shook it, the sound of windchimes danced around her bringing a warm feeling with them.

“Protection from the shadow curse, what more could a dingus want?” She flew up a little higher in the air. “You’re welcome!”

The pixie puffed away into thin air with a giggle, leaving them in darkness again.

“Gosh, that was a bit rude. Strange little creature.” Gale inspected the bell in Tav’s hand.

“What did she mean by speak the magic words? What, are we just supposed to say ‘pretty please’ and the shadows part for us to pass?” Astarion’s eye roll could be heard in his words.

“Whatever they are, at least it seems like she kept her word.” Tav inspected her hands and limbs. She still felt cold, but the shadows no longer scratched at her skin, seeking entry into her soul. Finally, some good news. One last worry as they made their way through these cursed lands.

After checking the bodies for anything useful, they started the long trek back to Last Light. The Harpers had left ahead of them to inform Jaheira of their losses. The air felt lighter and less like wading through a cursed bog. They hadn’t quite made it halfway back when a small voice in the darkness pulled their attention from their current path.

“Mum? Pops? Anybody!” It sounded like a child.

“Is that…Arabella?” Tav peered into the darkness.

“Hey…hey I know you!” Arabella started to wave frantically as they approached.

Tav started to wave back as she picked up her pace to reach the young tiefling quicker. Just as they reached the bottom of the hill where Arabella stood, two large shadows appeared behind her.

“Arabella! Watch o–” She started to yell, but she spun and conjured some thorny vines to hold the shadows in place.

“Twist’em up!” She hissed. The green light from her magic shone bright in the shadows.

“Ha! Look at who’s got some new Weave up her sleeve.” Gale laughed as Arabella came running down to them. As soon as she reached Tav, she threw her arms around her waist. The gesture surprised her, they hardly knew one another, but she was probably terrified from her time among the shadows. Her hair was a ragged mess and dirt clung to her face and horns.

“That knocks the wind right out of me.” Her heavy breathing confirmed that.

“What are you doing out here? It’s not safe to be walking among these shadows alone.” Tav knelt down to talk with her.

“Well…” Arabella looked at the ground and kicked the dirt around at her feet. “I was looking for my mum and pops. We were attacked.”

Tears ran down her cheeks as she told them of the ambush from the cult. She had gotten separated from her parents. Apparently Zevlor had been taken by the cult as well. But what had Tav stumped was how Arabella had managed to survive on her own amid the curse.

“There was a graveyard and I thought I heard their voices but there were just more shadows, so I ran. I still haven’t been able to find them.” She sniffled as she wiped her face on the back of her arm. “But…but I bet you could!” Her eyes lit up.

“Of course we’ll try to find your parents.” Tav assured her. “We’re looking for the others who were captured as well, maybe your parents are with them.”

“Thanks, miss. I knew you’d help me!” She once again lunged forward to hug Tav. “I don’t s’pose I could stay with you? At least ‘til you find my parents?”

“You…you want to stay with us?” Tav asked, confused. “The others are at a safe place called Last Light Inn, don’t you want to go stay with them? Alfira’s there too.”

“I don’t want to stay with them. They couldn’t protect me, or mum and pops. But you saved us before, I bet your camp is the safest place in the world!”

Tav let out a light laugh. “Depends on the day.” She looked back to her companions, judging their reactions. No one seemed to object to Arabella joining them.

“I’ll be good, I swear it!” She hugged Tav a little tighter as she sniffled again.

“Any child brave enough to face these shadows alone should have no problem with our little camp.” Gale offered as he smiled down at her.

“Of course you can stay with us. We’ll keep you safe, little one. We just have to stop at Last Light first to get the rest of our companions.”

“Thanks hero lady.” Arabella beamed up at her.

Tav and the others quickly took the two restrained shadows out as Arabella’s magical vines faded away. She studied the young girl as they made the walk back to the inn. Even without a torch or protection charm, she seemed to repel the shadows. There was an energy around her that Tav couldn’t quite place. Gale seemed to be of the same mind as he walked on the other side of her. The familiar squirm in her head returned as he made eye contact.

“This is no ordinary manipulation of the Weave.” Gale said the words into her mind.

“Yes, I felt it too. And she seems to be protected from the shadow curse somehow.”

“We should get her to Halsin. It’s peculiar, her power feels similar to his, but something is different. Yet it’s nearly as strong as his, remarkable considering her age. Perhaps he can explain it.”

Tav gave him a small nod in response. She made sure Arabella remained encircled by their group of adventurers. It was incredible she had managed to stay alive this long among the curse on her own, but she could sense that the young tiefling was getting tired. Despite her fatigue, Arabella remained curious as could be, asking question after question, most of them aimed at Lae’zel.

“What happened to the rest of your nose?”

“This is my entire nose.” Lae’zel responded.

“But it’s tiny.” Arabella touched her own nose as she looked up at Lae’zel.

“And yours is very large, especially for a child.”

“Why do your ears have those little ridges on the bottom?” She continued her questioning.

“Because this is how githyanki ears form. Why do you have those little ridges all over your shoulders?”

“I dunno. They just started growing there.” Arabella shrugged.

Tav smiled as she listened to them, surprised by Lae’zel’s patience with the young girl. Soon enough though, her curiosity switched focus to Astarion.

“Do all elves have fangs?” She asked as she skipped alongside him.

“No. Do all tiefling children talk this much?” He rolled his eyes.

“Yep! Why do you have fangs?”

“If I told you I was a vampire would that be enough to scare you away from me?” Astarion smiled sweetly, flashing those two extra pointy canines at Arabella.

“Nah, I know vampires aren’t real. ‘Sides, I saw you walk in the sun, so I know you’re lying.” She shrugged, Astarion just groaned in response.

Her never-ending questions continued until they reached the spot where the tieflings had been ambushed. The bodies of those killed still laid on the ground, cut down by cultists to help cover the others as they made their escape. Arabella paused next to one of the bodies.

“Arabella?” Tav called out softly.

“It’s Asharak.” She sniffled as she stood over him. “He tried to protect us.”

“I know.” Alfira had told the others how he was killed trying to protect the children. “We should keep moving, love. There’s nothing more we can do for them.”

She nodded as she walked close to Tav, her quiet cries hanging heavy in the still darkness. Tav had no idea what to say to her. She had spent very little time among children in her life, so she always felt a little awkward around them. As she chewed on her lip trying to find something, anything, to say to her, a small hand reached up to hold hers. Arabella wrapped her fingers tight around Tav’s, the small gesture seemed to calm her.

They walked hand in hand the rest of the way. Arabella’s eyes had dried by the time they reached the inn, but she kept a firm hold on Tav.

“Okay, let’s find the others and get a camp set up. I’m exhausted.”

***

Halsin sat at a table with Karlach and Wyll, still waiting for the others to return. Wyll had just spoken with a woman named Counsellor Florrick who oversaw the Flaming Fist here. He and Tav had missed the chance to speak with her at Waukeen’s Rest. She was also very interested in speaking with Tav upon her return. Karlach was still fuming in her seat. Florrick had mentioned a man named Lord Gortash, who he now knew was responsible for selling Karlach to Zariel. She hadn’t taken the news of his promotion in the city well and Wyll was working to talk her down.

“Don’t worry, Karlach. We won’t let him touch you again.” He placed one of his hands over hers. “We don’t even know if we have to go to Baldur’s Gate yet.”

“But what if I want to? It was my home too, Wyll.” Karlach propped her elbow on the table to rest her cheek in her hand.

Before Halsin could add anything, Karlach suddenly perked up.

“Hey soldier!”

Halsin turned around to see Tav walking into Last Light, and she seemed to have picked someone up along the way.

“And is that Arabella?” Wyll smiled as Tav led the young girl over to their table.

He recognized her now; she was the young tiefling who had taken the Idol of Silvanus from the grove. She looked exhausted. Her hair was tangled around her horns, her eyes were red and had little bags underneath them.

Tav reached their table and placed her free hand on Halsin’s shoulder.

“You all remember Arabella?” She had her other arm around the girl’s shoulders.

“Hey kiddo! Where you been?” Karlach seemed to be in better spirits now.

“We ran into her on our way back from the ambush. Her parents may have been captured as well.” Tav shot Halsin a quick look.

How had she been wandering among the shadows on her own?

She would have been out there for a couple of days at least. From the look on her face, Tav had already asked herself the same questions.

“Well, I’m glad to see you’re alright, little one.” Halsin tried to smile at her, but Arabella hid behind Tav. Of course, out of all the tieflings she arguably had the most cause to be suspicious of him.

“I’m going to go check in with Jaheira and get Arabella something to eat before we set up camp. There’s a spot just around the lake that seems like it would work well.”

“Wait, you’re not leaving me here, are you?” Arabella had a panicked look on her face.

“No, no.” Tav knelt next to her. “We just need to take care of some things here first, then we’re going to set up our own camp. But while we’re here, you need to get some food and rest for a minute. I won’t leave without you, I promise.”

The pull in his chest returned watching Tav comfort the little tiefling. Her gentle hands untangled her disheveled hair from her horns and tucked it behind her ears. She wiped the stray tears that still escaped down her cheeks with the edge of her sleeve. Despite himself, he could feel the foolish smile coming over his face. Out of the corner of his eye, Wyll and Karlach were each beaming at him, their smug expressions threatening to make him blush.

“I am pretty hungry.” A loud rumble came from Arabella’s stomach when she finished speaking.

Tav ushered her over toward the other kids and Alfira, all of whom looked ecstatic to see her alive and well.

But how is she alive and well?

Not that Halsin was complaining by any means, there were just few ways of safely passing through these shadows. He needed to find a way to examine her, but he was doubtful that she would want to spend any time with him. While lost in his thoughts, Tav came back over to their table.

“Have you seen Jaheira anywhere?”

“She was going to go debrief with some of the Harpers that went with you. We heard some of them didn’t make it.” Wyll nodded his head toward the courtyard.

“They did their duty, now we need to do ours.” Tav took a shaky breath as she dug into her pack. She produced a small, silver bell and held it up in her fingers.

“Oooh! Pretty!” Karlach snatched the little trinket. Halsin could just make out small carved symbols in the metal. They looked to be in the style of the fey.

“We got it from the pixie we freed from a moonlantern. Give it a little shake.” She urged her. After Karlach shook the bell, a little pixie appeared.

“Again? Already?!” She shouted with her hands on her hips.

“We need to make sure the others in our group can pass through the shadows as well.” Tav jumped as the little creature flew to hover directly in front of her face.

“Ugh there’s more of you fuckers?” She made a show of stomping her feet in the air. “A deal’s a deal I suppose. And the magic words?”

“Um…please?” Tav gave an awkward grin.

“Can’t even say it in Elvish? How boring.” She rolled her eyes but moved to hover over the small table they were sharing.

The pixie blew a cloud of sparkling dust into the air that settled onto their skin. When Halsin went to touch it, the dust disappeared, yet he felt lighter now. Even within the confines of the moon shield he could feel the effects of the charm.

“You’re welcome.” She gave a mocking bow before whisking herself away.

“Well done, my friend.” Halsin commended Tav, she grinned back at him. For the first time since it was unleashed, he would be able to pass through the shadows. This would make everything much easier.

“Now that we have that settled, I have someone who is desperate to meet you.” Wyll stood up and pointed to the room where Counsellor Florrick waited. “Care to join me while you wait for Jaheira?”

“Sure.” She turned to face Halsin. “You should talk with Gale. There’s something…different about Arabella. He can explain it better than me.” She smiled as she patted his shoulder before following Wyll into the other room.

Right on cue, Gale came wandering over to his and Karlach’s table.

“Oof, I don’t know about you two, but the chill in the air here is murder on my joints.” He grunted as he took Wyll’s seat.

“Ha! I heard those cracks as you sat down, old man. Need some oil for those knees?” Karlach laughed.

“Got some to spare from that contraption in your chest, do you?”

“If only. This baby just runs on soul coins, I’m afraid.” She tapped her chest lightly with a fist.

“These shadows certainly seem to seep into every pore. This new spell from the pixie is good news though.” Halsin held his hand out to Karlach, requesting the small bell.

“Worked like a charm. We had no further issues as we made our merry way back here. Speaking of which…” Gale trailed off to look over his shoulder at Arabella.

He told Halsin of their encounter with the young girl. How she was now able to conjure vines and call on the Weave around her to do so. How she seemed protected from the shadows, even without a light source or blessing. He seemed to think her abilities were druidic in nature based on the sensations around him while she was casting.

“Interesting…” He rubbed his chin while he thought on this revelation. Gale mentioned that she had been wandering around a graveyard before she found them. The graveyard nearby would have been enveloped in even darker shadows than those around the inn. Even with a torch she could not have survived long.

“Perhaps her time at the grove unlocked some new talent that was lying in wait.” Gale suggested.

“Perhaps.” He kept his eyes on Arabella. “I won’t be able to tell for sure unless I can examine her. I’ll think on it some more as we make camp.”

There was a familiar warmth around her, undeniably similar to the warmth he felt in Silvanus’s presence. She had taken the idol for a short time, perhaps she managed to speak to him in some manner.

“Well, Tav invited her to stay at our camp so you may well have the opportunity to do so.” Gale let out a loud sigh as he leaned his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes.

Halsin sat and waited patiently for Tav to return from her check ins. He watched as she was pulled in every possible direction around Last Light. Her face started to twist into that mask-like expression. The few people that reached out to touch her caused her to recoil away like they had shocked her. Between the Harpers, Flaming Fist, and other refugees it was close to an hour before she came back to his side. Her shoulders hung a little lower and she stifled a few yawns as she started gathering their companions.

“Let’s get a camp set up. We’ll stay close by so we can check in when needed. Probably best to call it a day though, we can make our way to Moonrise first thing tomorrow.”

He didn’t miss the nervous edge to her voice as she made the plans. The thought of returning to Moonrise Towers no doubt weighed heavily on her already exhausted mind. When he stood up, she leaned against him while the others continued talking and making plans for the rest of their evening. And despite another smug grin from Karlach, he put an arm around her shoulders to pull her closer. The day had been long. Witnessing the shadows again, finding out Ketheric Thorm was alive, the captured tieflings. But the small, relieved sigh he heard from Tav as he hugged her tighter took all of those worries away for just a moment.

#bg3 #bg3 fanfiction #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate iii #bg3 halsin #halsin silverbough #halsin x tav #bg3 fluff

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esta-elavaris · 1 year ago

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Flufftober Day 30: Self-Worth/Self-Love ~ James Norrington/OC [1.973 words]

My Flufftober '23 masterpost can be found here, and my behemoth of a main fic about these two is here 💜✨

This is the final bit in the little mini storyline I had going on with these - it's first referenced in day 10, it builds a bit in day 21, and we dig into it properly here!

On their final night in London together, Theo had to concede that she hadn’t had half as bad a time as she’d expected. In fact, she hadn’t had a bad time at all. Sure, she spent the first couple of weeks waiting for all to suddenly turn bitchy towards her, using things she’d said when her guard was down to mock the begloved Irishwoman who may or may not have been a witch, but…it didn’t happen. And now their final social occasion, their farewell dinner, was drawing to a close, and she had to accept that it simply was not going to happen. Screw interdimensional time travel, this was the real miracle.

She’d even taken to dressing how she actually wanted to dress. Alright, leggings and band shirts were still out, but to her own tastes as far as fashions of the time went – rather than cosplaying as whatever she thought people would expect Mrs Norrington to appear. Which often meant dressing how Elizabeth would.

The last of their guests, Lord and Lady Montague, remained in the drawing room as the others left in order to finalise business, and everything was looking decidedly golden.

“I’ll confess, Admiral Norrington,” the older man insisted on continued use of James’ former title – a mark of respect, she thought, “I was prepared to come here, listen to some hare-brained scheme, before throwing what little gold and help I possibly could at it merely as a personal favour to Governor Swann.”

“Oh really, Henry,” his wife scolded, very half-heartedly, from where she sat beside Theo.

“I wouldn’t say it now if it had all proven true,” he pressed on. “I confessed myself impressed, by your plans, by your lovely wife, by you, by all of it. And very optimistic. You go forth with my full backing, and not just the sort that I offer out of obligation to save any awkwardness.”

Theo smiled, bowing her head as Lady Montague – or Alice, as she insisted she call her – squeezed her arm as if in agreement. Her experience with the upper crust of English society had begun with Beckett, and he was an act she had no wish to see repeated.

The Montagues stood, James and Theo following suit as Henry continued.

“I wish you luck, not that I think you’ll need it, going forth – and going forth with all the support you might need, from myself at least. And my contacts in the north. I’ve already written to them, I did so last night so I could reassure you of that fact before we saw you off.”

It was taking all Theo had not to start literally jumping for joy. As James expressed his thanks, Alice rounded on her and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Speaking of writing, you must promise to do so! You’ve been such a breath of fresh air, Theodora, I’m going to miss you sorely when you’re gone! You must come again. I insist, I really do.”

“I will,” Theo laughed. “I promise, I will.”

Her penmanship with a quill was improving, so with any luck James wouldn’t be obligated to scribe whatever letters she had to send.

The goodbyes were lengthy, but the moment they were out of the door and well out of earshot, Theo was hooting a laugh and throwing her arms about her husband in celebration – not content to let him downplay his success here. Only after that did the tiredness that had been culminating over the course of their time here really hit, and she returned to the sofa and sank down onto it with a sigh.

“You made an enthusiastic friend in Lady Montague. For life, I should think,” James said as he followed her in.

“Careful, James, you’re brushing against condescension – all that’s missing is a pat on the head and a good girl.”

Although that last part might be worth revisiting at a later date. He chuckled, walking to the bar cart and pouring them each a drink before he sat down on the couch beside her, handing her the crystal tumbler of whiskey.

“I know these things are tiring for you, but if it’s any consolation you handled it all marvellously.”

Theo made a humming sound, taking a sip and sighing. He was right – they were exhausting. Not even just because of the cultural differences, which one wouldn’t expect to exist between two such small neighbouring islands, but because of her origins, too.

“It wasn’t so bad as it was when I first arrived,” she admitted. “I…have more stable footing now, than I did back then. Don’t need to be paranoid that if I say my favourite colour is blue, it’ll be a secret code for I worship the devil every Tuesday night in these times.”

“No, that would be red,” he said drily.

“Duly noted.”

Back when she first arrived, it had been toughest. Having to constantly self-edit and really think over what she said before she said it, thinking of how she could skew an anecdote to fit the time – or if she could at all – by which point, the conversation had often moved on and she was left standing quietly like a lawn ornament to the side. With James, it had always been surprisingly easy. Even before he knew, when they were just talking, and he wasn’t trying to finagle details of her past out of her. And now she didn’t have to worry about it with him at all. A safe haven in human form.

It was Theo’s own humble opinion that she was at her best when she could speak her mind and crack her stupid jokes and, well, breathe. That hadn’t often been possible in Port Royal. Because they were of this time, and because they seldom shared her sense of humour – and going into this, she’d expected it to be more of the same. Amplified, perhaps, because this was London, where all of them had hailed from.

But either island life had made those there less friendly towards newcomers, or the old lot just really resented her for what she’d found with James. Then again, maybe arriving as a castaway, living in the jungle for a bit, and then running off with a pirate…multiple times…had something to do with it, too. Who knew?

In any case, she’d lucked out here – and she was relieved, but exhausted still. And more than a little sheepish.

“I’m sorry.”

“For worshipping the devil?”

He had not sensed her change in tone, thinking she was still joking. There was a precedent for that, wasn’t there? Theo was content to let it rest there, unsure if it was really a conversation she wanted to have anyway. But then he turned his head and regarded her fully, and the silence became a little less comfortable than it usually was between them.

“Sorry for what?” he asked, and then when she did not respond, asked again. “Theodora?”

“It…doesn’t come naturally to me. Not here.”

“What doesn’t?”

“The social side of it. Here.”

“She says as we sit here, drinking to her success.”

“We’re drinking to our success, don’t be daft.”

“I’m drinking to yours. Now tell me what you meant. Was someone unkind tonight?”

“Not at all. But…”

Well, they were having the conversation now. What good would it be to sit and make him pull teeth and figure out what was bothering her via a series of yes-or-no questions?

“…this is what wives are supposed to do, isn’t it? Here, I mean. Take joy in organising dinner parties and playing hostess and filling every spare hour of every day with luncheons and dinner parties and balls? Representing the team in the sophisticated social circles – the ones not inhabited by pirates and sex workers, anyway. It’s not exactly…”

A marriage to a fine woman. But she wouldn’t use those words – because they weren’t meant for her ears, because it would appear the matter of Elizabeth still weighed upon her (which it genuinely did not), and because it didn’t exactly convey how she felt. That made it sound like she doubted his feelings for her, or like she had no self-worth…which had never been one of her problems. God bless her dad and how he’d raised her.

“I don’t fulfil the traditional job requirements,” she finished lamely.

Then, though, she saw how he looked almost outraged by her words and winced.

“I’m not saying I don’t think you’re happy. Only that it would be understandable if you were…oh, I don’t know. Frustrated, now and then, at having a wife who you always need to explain to people.”

In all of their time together, they hadn’t ever really had a chance at living in a normal manner up until now. There’d always been some sort of grander game at play – some new adventure-slash-mortal peril tugging at their tailcoats. The bits in-between that kinda sorta resembled normality had been breathers. Blips between storms – between maelstroms.

James smiled a little as he bowed his head, and Theo wasn’t sure how to even begin taking the gesture. Had she really sounded that ridiculous? God, she shouldn’t have opened her mouth at all. But when he raised his head again and looked to her, the smile slipped away, and she knew her worry had shown on her face.

Sighing, he bent forward to set his glass down on the floor, and then took her free hand in both of his.

"Do you think I have none of the same fears? Three centuries of progress lies between here and where you hailed from. Between myself and then. And you have given up much for me…have sacrificed much for me..." as he spoke, he ran his thumb over the knuckles of her gloved hand. “I believe that you are happy just as you know that I am. But, sometimes, I do fear that one day you may grow to question whether it was all worth it. For you have sacrificed plenty, and I have gained much. I have gained everything.”

“Everything you’ve gained, I have too,” she insisted. “I never regret the choice I’ve made. Not even in passing.”

“And nor do I. I do not wish for a wife, Theodora. I want you. As you are. However you are. However you will be. And as for needing to explain you to people – if they do not possess good taste, that is their own affair. I enjoy being among the lucky collective who do.”

Theo felt herself flush, but he was not finished. He slipped one hand away from hers and brought it instead to cup the side of her face, thumb running across her cheek just as it had with her knuckles, urging her towards him so that he could kiss her – a kiss that was so slow and filled with such adoration that she was sure she wouldn’t be able to string another sentence together for at least an hour.

He pulled back, but kept her close, pressing his brow against hers.

“And I confess, if you suffered a head injury and began to take joy in little other than place settings and the town gossip, I should still love you but I would mourn it,” he teased. “You take little joy in these sorts of gatherings? Good. Nor do I. So I know I will never need to suffer through them unless entirely necessary – and when those times do come, I’m afforded the opportunity to witness you, to use your own wording, charm the pants off of those necessary. Now tell me, what facet of any of this is supposed to disappoint me?”

“What if I tell you I really am a witch?” she teased, pressing another kiss to his lips as if to prove her mood had lightened.

“I shall carry your broomstick for you with great pride,” he promised.

Links: AO3 -- FF.net -- flufftober masterpost -- dividers by cafekitsune

#esta's flufftober '23 fills #flufftober2023 #flufftober 2023 #flufftober #james norrington x oc #james norrington/oc #potcfic #pirates of the caribbean fanfic #pirates of the caribbean fanfiction #pirates of the caribbean fic #james norrington fanfic #james norrington fanfiction

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manysmallhands · 1 month ago

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Favourite Songs of 2024: 28 - 20

Continuing the countdown as far as the door of the top 20! Previous entries can be found here, here and here. Now, we carry on...

28. Miso Extra - Slow Down

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Miso takes more of a dance turn on her best song to date, a collaboration with DJ Boring (no it’s ok, he’s interesting) where the eerie bleeps and twitchy garage vibe combine with Miso’s low key drone to create something that sounds both hypnotic and creepily compelling. The lyrics might just be one verse repeated over and over again but ultimately that turns out to be a bonus, as you'll be wanting to sing along and it keeps things simple.

27. Tyler The Creator ft Teezo Touchdown - Darling, I

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While much hip hop these days feels a bit bleak and cold to me, I was an instant sucker for this kind of sweet hooked, RnB flavoured groove that Tyler often favours on his new record. Darling, I is one of those things that I probably shouldn’t like so much, where our hero rather selfishly sets out why he’s incapable of committing to one woman, but it’s also a little bit sad when he admits that he’s dooming himself to a life of loneliness and even quite charming in its blunt self knowledge. All things considered, i'm calling it a bop.

26. Ava Max - Spot A Fake

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The fact that Ava once had a #1 hit feels like a bit of a fever dream now but Spot A Fake shows that she can still turn out a banger in her pop auteurist, neo-Flashdance signature sound. “I’ve got a 6th sense when it comes to a bitch” she sings and it’s that sense of high melodrama and low comedy that keeps me coming back, that and the impossibly catchy tunes anyway.

25. Szou - Thinkin' Bout

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Post Good Luck Babe it feels like only a matter of time before this kind of bubbly 80s pop rock begins to reemerge, set against the glossier version of the era that still tends to dominate. Szou, a tiny duo who popped up on my radio one night, use shuffling synths (somehow reminiscent of the Hill Street Blues theme?) and some controlled wailing in the chorus a la Laura Branigan for that peak 1984 vibe, adding some calculated TMI in the lyrics too to give it a touch of Chappell Roan. It manages the great pop trick of channelling a bunch of obvious influences but making them memorable enough to not feel too derivative and catchy enough to bring you back for more.

24. Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding - Free

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Unlike last year’s megahit Miracle (eight weeks at #1!), Free failed to set the charts alight at all but in many ways it was just as good. A light, airy dance banger powered by its drum n bass break and flashing house piano, Free goes off hard into a soaring, skittering chorus early on and never really looks back from there. Calvin gets dragged for being basic but a better way to view him is that he’s mastered his craft better than any of his contemporaries: if it sounds like he could knock this stuff out in his sleep, that's cos he's just so good at it.

23. Jessica Pratt - Better Hate

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After drifting off into the fog on 2019’s Quiet Signs, the big surprise this year was that Jess had brought some tunes back with her. Better Hate is one of the best examples of her eerie mid century folk pop, backed by twinkling keys and semi-comic woodblock percussion which helps to create a bit of a Disney vibe. Her distinctive baby-voiced coo feels more playful this time around and while the lyric here is somewhat enigmatic, the harmonies and melodic dance make this sound something akin to a party, albeit one that takes place in an undefined earlier epoch.

22. Tinashe - Nasty

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Possibly the most ecstatically greeted #61 hit of all time, Tinashe’s viral sensation felt like vindication for the faithful but added a new lightness and snap to her catchy RnB template which stuck out sharply from the gloomier material of her past. Full of highly quotable catchphrases (including, quintessentially, "is somebody gonna match my freak?!"), Nasty may not have hit big but it did capture a moment this summer with attitude, humour and a surprisingly touching sense of yearning at its core.

21. Emei - Rabbit Hole

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This is another pick-up from evening radio, again from an artist that I knew nothing about. Rabbithole is an edgy pop banger: I like the the contrast between the early 80s synth stylings and the punchier, more modern production, and also the way it will stutter towards a stop and then explode back into life again. Much like Tate Mcrae’s ‘Greedy’ last year it gets a bit lost after the second chorus but (also much like Greedy) the twitchy bounce and energy mean that it doesn’t really matter all that much: all I want from this is more. I do have to say tho that when Emei (aged 25) says "oh my god i'm getting old", she owns me so hard that i shall probably have stop listening to her soon.

20. Cosmorat - Backseat Baby

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I have recently started to conceptualise some of my listening as "hopscotch music" - songs that sound like the kind of thing you’d hear sung in a school playground - and Backseat Baby may be the clearest example of them all. It slouches along in a kind of elegant, restless groove punctuated by occasional jolts of comedic violence, but the key thing that holds it together is the repeated chorus of “NOT A CRIME IF YOU DON’T GET CAUGHT!”, chanted with the kind of malevolence you’d expect from a bunch of 12 year olds who you'd discovered playing with matches. Always fun, if in a slightly nervous way.

More tomorrow, maybe

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religious-extremist · 1 year ago

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Hello! im the anon that wanted to ask about orthodoxy. i know this will likely be very difficult to answer, but are you able to tell me a bit about how saints play a role? if not, perhaps you could speak on your personal relationships with/thoughts on the saints? and please dont apologize, your offer of information was more than kind and im very grateful!

St. Nikolai Velimirovich said, "If a person wants to get an idea about the pyramids of Egypt, he must either trust those who have been in immediate proximity to the pyramids, or he must get next to them himself. There is no third option. In the same way a person can get an impression of God: he must either trust those who have stood and stand in immediate proximity to God, or he must take pains to come into such proximity himself."

I am a prodigal, an unworthy sinner, an ungrateful and wicked servant. I deserve not to look upon the face of God being such a terrible person that I am. If I dared to come near Him at the wedding feast, my clothing will accuse me for it is not a wedding garment. The saints are important because they are people who now stand beside the throne of God and they intercede for us.

1 Kingdoms 13:28 "Far be it from me to sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will serve the Lord and show you the good and right way."

Genesis 20:3-7 God tells Abimelech to ask Abraham to pray for him, otherwise he is a dead man for taking Sarah from him)

Exodus 8:4-6, 8:24-25, 9:28-29, 10:16-18, 32:31-32, Pharaoh asking Moses to pray for him and Moses praying for Pharaoh

Numbers 12:10-13, 14:11-19 Aaron begging Moses to pray for Miriam to be healed of her leprosy and Moses interceding for the Israelites before God

Deuteronomy 9:20, 9:25-26 Moses praying for Aaron and the Israelites

1 Kingdoms 7:8, 13:19 Samuel interceding for the Israelite to be victorious over the Philistines, Israelites asking Samuel to pray for them so the Lord is not angry that they asked a king for themselves

3 Kingdoms 13:6 King Jeroboam asks the man of God to pray for him to God to restore his hand that withered away and he prays and it's restored immediately

3 Kingdoms 17:20-23 Elijah prays over the widow's dead son's body and he is brought back to life

God is not the God of the dead but of the living, Christ said in the book of Matthew. The saints are not dead, they stand before the throne of God interceding for us.

Throughout the history of the church, there have been so many saints who lived venerable lives, sacrificing their lives in the name of Christ as brave martyrs (like St. Eleftherios who is celebrated today), saints who helped so many people in their afflictions (St. John the Merciful who gave away all he had to the poor), saints who performed many miracles (some recent ones are St. Nektarios who healed the sick, St. Porphyrios who was blind but prophesied so many things about the future, St. Paisios the Athonite, St. Joseph the Hesychast, etc.).

Here, in our current life, in this present day and hour, we in the Church who strive to love God are, in Orthodox theology, considered the Church Militant. We who love God are all soldiers of Christ and being alive on this earth and striving to do God's will, we are always battling against the forces of the enemy, the evil one. The saints who have struggled to love Christ and won the struggle, living until the end of their earthly lives as faithful Christians, they are considered to be the Church Triumphant. We are striving to be triumphant like them, triumphant against the passions, temptations, and addictions; against pride, selfishness, gluttony, immorality, and all sins.

One particular saint who has helped me a lot is St. Xenia of St. Petersburg. She was homeless, she was considered a fool-for-Christ. She sought not earthly glory and she hid her virtues so well. She was so poor, not because she did not have money, but because whatever money she had, she gave to others. She sacrificed her comforts so that God would comfort her. St. Paisios the Athonite said, "When we cease seeking consolation from man, then we will receive consolation from God." Such people who have achieved it are people like St. Xenia.

I had been struggling with finding a job for years and praying to have a home to call my own. I am not an educated person, I did not even graduate high school. I did not even have a house to go, I feared I would be homeless. St. Xenia helped me get a house. I prayed a few akathists to her and in the same month, I received a house as an unexpected gift from my in-laws. I have received a lot of help from other saints as well, St. Xenia is just one of the recent ones.

Anyway, this was a really long answer, hopefully it's not too boring and if it is, I'm sorry. lol.

#ask #eastern orthodox

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angeltreasure · 1 year ago

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I have a question about forgiveness. I've been looking up information about miracles, specifically how to pray for them because my family and I really, desperately need a few. I learned som interesting information, that there are things that can block one's prayers from reaching God. Most of the items on the list aren't an issue for me, but one in particular was unforgiveness. That is to say, if you haven't forgiven people who've hurt or wronged you, who are you to ask forgiveness of the Lord. Or something along those lines. I do struggle to fully forgive some people who have hurt and wronged me, some from my past and some who are actively hurting me now. I want to forgive them, but how to I let go of the hurt? The bitterness and resentment? Talking to these people is basically impossible for various reasons, btw. One has become an emotionless brickwall due to their own struggles, and another isn't allowed contact with our family. On that note, what *is* forgiveness anyway? I assume it's letting go of hurt etc., but am I wrong? Thank you and God bless you. 🙏🏻

Good Afternoon!,

To pray for a miracle is very simple. While we cannot order God to do a certain miracle as a miracle worker, we can pray to God to ask for help and thank Him for what we have. God, our Father, knows what is best for us. To pray to God, it’s as simple as saying “God, please help me.”

You can either make your own prayer or you can read prayers already made. It may be a good idea to be a little more specific in your case so try “God, please help me with ____.” All prayer is heard by God the moment you pray.

There is a passage which speaks on how you cannot be forgiven by God for your own sins if at first you do not forgive others. Here’s the passage…

“So if you are presenting your gift at the altar and remember there that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and first go and be reconciled to your brother. Then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your opponent while you are on the way to court, or your opponent may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you with certainty, you will not get out of there until you pay back the last dollar!”

- Matthew 5:23-26

To learn how to forgive someone, we must recognize that it is pride that is preventing us to forgive others. Pride is what made Lucifer fall from Heaven. To combat the sin of pride, we must look to Jesus. Jesus was never prideful but instead, He was the opposite of pride. The opposite of pride is meekness. You must turn all of the hurt by offering yourself up in prayer to God. Bring it to the foot of the Cross that Jesus was crucified on. Ask God to help you forgive those who harm you no matter the distance they are away, ask God to help you become more like Jesus each day, ask God to help you forgive because Jesus forgave you on the Cross.

If you want to be forgiven, you must also learn how to forgive others. Start today.

Now read these:

The Litany of Humilty

The Sermon on the Mount found in the New Testament in Matthew chapters 5-7.

#asks #forgiveness

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grigori77 · 10 months ago

Text

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 88

Ah yeah, 9th Anniversary! Sweet ... hence the fancy duds! Cool ...

Wr don't need a skit, just let Taliesin cause Sam massive distractions ... oh, okay ... yeah, these fake Sam ads are always fun ... that one was ... unique ...

Plushie Sprinkle! OH MY GODS IT'S SO CUTE!!! :3

Ah yeah, cliffhanger resolution time! What's happening?

Okay, so have they been rumbled? Who is this? Does not sound good ... hmmmm ... gotta be careful with this ...

A "cute" growl? Hmmmm ...

Touch your friends with CONSENT, Letters ...

A SLITHERING sound? That can't be good ...

Travis' sleep paralysis demon is Laudna, apparently ...

I love how they're almost CASUALLY considering letting complete strangers suffocate in the Hole ... this group really are a bunch of murder hobos ...

Imogen: "We don't kill people!" Ashton : "We just power them down." FCG: "So they just go to sleep?" Ashton: "For a very long time, yes."

Hallucinatory Terrain? Sounds cool ... oh, ten minutes to cast? Yeah, maybe not ...

So they're coming now ...

A Battlemap? Just in case? Okay ... Sam's plug may not actually be necessary ...

Laudna-in-the-box ... XD

Pass Without A Trace is verbal composed? I agree, that IS counterintuitive ...

The porno play again? Really?

So they definitely ARE bad guys ... Unsettling Presence? Yup ...

They DOMESTICATED one of the freaky worms? Oh dear gods ...

Yeah, that's just LOVELY ... oh, it's BLIND! Great ... and it just KEEPS GETTING WORSE ... yeah, Travis is HATING IT ...

Time for D&D maths, guys ...

Laudna's Mission: Impossible dance of evasion ... XD

Sound like rocks, Ashton!

It has a freaky FLOATY ability? Weird ... crap, there's TWO MORE!!! Shit ...

Balls ... Imogen's BUSTED ... O.O

It's BITING HER HEAD?!!! Aaaaaaaah! Now it's CHEWING?!!! Fuck! Noooooo ...

How is Laudna not completely panicking right now? Seriously ...

An ANIMAL HANDLING check? Hmmm ... NAT20!!! Yes! This is a total fucking MIRACLE that this worked ...

Just get out of here, creature! Shoo!

Oh shit ... 7? That's such a bad roll, Laura ... it's just SO BAD right now ...

Shock Flare? Really? And now Inflict Wounds? Might be better ...

Laura: "TRAVIS, SHUT UP!!!" Maybe too late for that, now ...

Foll for Initiative? FUCK!!!

Matt's Peter Lorre impression is beautiful ... XD

Laudna convinces Fearne to turn into one of THESE things ... okay ... a Slither? Really? Ye gods ... Marisha thinks it's cute ... Travis: "Shit, WHAT?!!!"

Oh fuck yeah, they still can't see anything ...

FCG casts Guiding Bolt at 4th Level? At Disadvantage ... oof ... it still hits! Phew ... 23 damage! Yes!

More chewing! Argh! But Imogen's mental cries are oddly hilarious ... LOL

Yeet the faux slither! Fearne goes upstairs ... and now she's floating about up there ... she's getting SCRITCHES?!!! Really?

A bigger Battlemap? Hmmmm ...

Tremorsense, not Blimdsight ...

Oh, this is not good at all ... they're in a BAD SPOT right now ...

Marisha gets Whispers! Okay then ...

Stay quiet? RIGHT NOW?!!!

A deception check? As a worm? This is one of the most surreal battles we've had on this ...

Orym FEELS HIS WAY to the fight ... ye gods ... oh, here it is ... and ENGAGE!!! Stabby stabby stabby! A Goading attack! Sweet ... a lot oh hits ... and he IMMEDIATELY gets the HDYWTDT!!! Nice ...

She's free! Meanwhile Orym's puking ... Imogen tries to stop it and he vomits into her hand ... oof ...

Fake them out, Fearne!

It's working, she's leading them away! But NOW shat does she do?

Chetney starts to do a Crimson Rite ...

Yeah, everybody's just HOLDING right now, ready for whatever ... FCG can't heal Imogen because it makes noise ...

Lead them outside, Fearne! Come on ... this might actually work ...

Looks like it might be clear enough for now, at least ... Darkness dropped! Imogen is HURT ... not TOO bad but thos must be painful ... 2nd Level Cure Wounds from FCG ... 13 points of healing back! Phew ...

Yeah, how's Zhesh ... okay, not great ...

The Hole is turning into Mrs Miggens' pie shop cellar in Sweeney Todd ...

Can a slither SHRUG? XD Deception check ...

Crap, she's busted ... oh, no, they're just GOADING her ... now what? So she's just FAKING IT st someone else's door ...

They're burrowing! Okay Fearne, notes your chance! She flees to the others again ... or TRIES to ... yeah, she doesn't actually know WHERE she is so she just KEEPS GOING ...

Fearne is now LOST underground ... crap ...

This has become very surreal all of a sudden ...

Locate Creature? To guide her back? Yes, do that ...

FCG I'd trying to guide her back to them through some VERY ridiculous second hand directions ... and she's FINALLY back home them ...

"The Purple Lightning does not strike twice." Okay ...

Zhesh is fascinated by Ashton's hammer AND his skull ...

Oh ... a crystal blade replacement for FCG's saw? Cool ... that could be pretty sweet ...

They use the bones of their beloved dead in crafting things? That's cool in a creepy way ...

So the bane worms are basically like sandworms ...

A shortsword? Cool ... and it's blue ... that's very cute ... good choice, Orym ... oh yeah, that glow thing is a nice bonus, like a Ruidusborn detector ...

Druidcraft strawberries ... cute! :3

Laudna's giving Sashimi crystal bladed hands ... wow, that is EXTRA creepy ...

Short rest, then ...

Oh, the box? Aha! Yeah ... can they unlock it?

Ashton gets a ratty new makeshift glove ...

Chetney Claus returns ...

Orym takes his shirt off? Oh boy ... O.O

Fearne tries to use a long distance Dispel Magic on the box ...

Treshi scry ball ... still some distance away, at least ...

Zhesh makes FCG his own little crystal mood stone indicator on his chest ... oooh, AND he gets a new and improved sawblade ... that's pretty cool ... scary good ... snd it's LETHAL, too ...

Dusk has arrived ... time to go ... off to the Overspoke ...

Meanwhile opening the box ... and it works! Nice ... unlock it, then ... check for traps! Chetney is SCARY proficient at lockpicking ... and it's open! Here we go ...

An odd device ... hexagonal? No, you are JOKING, surely not ... oh no, more like something from the Malleus Key, but much more high quality ...

Eyes of yhe Rune Keeper? Okay ...

Abjuration magic ... cool ... Nat20, okay ... it's PART of something serious ... oh, it's designed to BREAK A SEAL ... it's Aeoran tech! Holy shit!

And NOW we're taking a break ... O.O

There's a 1 in 6 chance that the crystal blades SHATTER with each hit? Crap ... but in Imogen's proximity their properties are boosted ... cool ...

Arcana check for FCG ... BIG success ... okay ... even so, still really no more actual information on the piece in the box ...

Apparently Sam just discovered that FCG has acquired a black negligee from somewhere, but has NO RECOLLECTION where ... O.O

So back out into the street ... Vanguard gear on again ...

Keeping an eye on the scry ball as they go ... yeah, probably best ...

Group deception check ... it's good, not GREAT ... hmmm ...

Spiral stairs ... okay then ... but there are guards ... so what to do, then?

Chetney Claus sees you when you're doing THAT?!!!

Oh, so they could just BLUFF THEIR WAY up? Cool ... they think Imogen's her mother? Or just that she's automatically expected? Hmmmm ...

So is this actually working, then?

Aha, so here's Earot ... another deception check? 25? Bloody hell, Laura ...

Looking for a PURPLE house? With darkvision? Hmmmm ...

Borrowing Earot's spyglass ... and intimidating hom with her telekinesis ...

A Reiloran copy of Tusk Love ... which lost something in translation, apparently ... XD

Aha! Purple! Okay then ... so we have a destination, then ...

Off to find the Volition ...

Liliana is now FAMOUS on Ruidus ... hmmmm ... this could be useful OR problematic, depending on circumstances ...

Orym is now pretending to be Imogen's bodyguard to maintain an Illusion ...

Is that a Videodrome reference there, Matthew?

Pass Without A Trace! Go!

Fuck, yeah ... Ashton's still exhausted, we'd clearly forgotten about that ...

An excavation site? Okay, then ...

So ... is this a test? This IS the place, isn't it?

A persuasion check ... go Orym! Yeah ...

Oh, sneaky mind reading from Imogen ... now persuasion? 24! Okay ...

Meanwhile Chetney's fallen asleep ... on his FEET ...

Okay, looks like they passed the test ... so they're "friends of the Volition" ... okay ... Watcher Volido? Cool ...

Talk to Rashinna of the Golden Hammer? And Gaz Tomo? Hmmmm ...

A secret passage! Yay!

Apparently Orym is VERY SMALL ... O.O

Going in a pair at a time, losing the Vanguard outfits as they go ... and now they're in ... while Matt accidentally punches the mike and gives us all a heart attack!

In a tunnel, then ... going down ...

Oh, here we go ... how DO THEY prove they're friends of the Volition? Oh, the bodies? Really? The Juggernaut's head? Wow ...

So Rashinna will decide ... hmmm ...

A very weird wooden door ... so what's THAT about, Matthew?

So this guy's a Shrike? But blind ... that's interesting ... I like this guy, whoever he is ...

The door is ALIVE? Whoa ... they're ROOTS? Fascinating ... Chetney is rightly intrigued ...

Okay, so they're now SURROUNDED ... yeah, that's about right ...

They have their own Juggernauts? Bloody hell ...

Ah yes, this must be Rashinna ... oh yes, she us VERY impressive indeed ... oh, and she speaks OPENLY!!! Wow ...

True, Bells Hells STILL haven't picked a leader ... but Orym's picked Imogen, which is right ...

Imogen must make it clear she is NOT loyal to her mother ...

A persuasion check? Oh boy ... 27? Holy fuck, Laura!

Oh, so she believes her? Or rather believes that SHE believes that, at least ... maybe this'll work, then ...

Some kind of fancy magic mirror? Oh, so it's dome kind of ENTRANCE? Fascinating ... Holy shit, it's like the Goblin King's Labyrinth in there ...

Oh, so THIS is the real Kreviris? That is BEAUTIFUL ...

Gods, I love it when Matt gets enthusiastically carried away with his descriptions ...

A massive crystal core at the center of it all ... fascinating ...

Oh, that thing is the Weavemind itself? Wooooo ... and THAT I'd where Matt chooses to end it? Bloody hell ... cue massive indignation, ESPECIALLY from Ashley ... much as I would expect ...

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depressedhouseplant · 10 months ago

Text

🔞 In Darkness I Found You 🔞

Chapter 6

Tags: Vomit, needles, smut, mating

Whoever named morning sickness clearly had never been pregnant, Yoongi thought bitterly as he threw up what was left of his dinner. He’d been throwing up since about 5 o’clock in the morning. He couldn’t keep anything down. He was starting to get the shakes.

“Hon, can I do anything?” Hobi tapped on the bathroom door. Yoongi flushed the toilet and went to stand up, but got too dizzy and had to sit back down.

“Come help me up,” he said. Hobi opened the door and simply picked up Yoongi. Yoongi forgot that Alpha strength could be a good thing. Hobi put him in the bed and got a trash can.

“I think I’m done. If I don’t eat anything else,” Yoongi said.

“Water?” Hobi suggested.

“I dunno,” Yoongi sighed.

“Try it?” Hobi said, handing him a glass. Yoongi drank some and it came back up almost immediately. He lied back into the pillows.

“Is this normal for you?” Hobi asked.

“Sucky pregnancies? Yeah,” he replied. “If I’m not puking my guts up, then I’ve got kickers. I’ve only ever had 1 pup once before. That was my first. I had a litter when I was 19. After that, it was twins every time. Now I have a high risk runt.”

“Yoongi, how old were you?” Hobi ventured.

“When I had my first? I was 17. Then I had the litter when I was 19. That was 3. Officially a litter is 3 or more. Then twins when I was 21 and 23. Now here I am,” he gestured to his belly. Hobi was speechless. They’d bred him every chance they got. Or whored him out. His beautiful, kind, loving mate. Hobi put his hand on Yoongi’s forehead to brush back his hair.

“Honey are you sure this is pregnancy related? You’re burning up,” he observed.

“I feel a little dizzy, but I figured that was from throwing up,” Yoongi said.

“Let me go get Tae,” Hobi said.

“Okay,” Yoongi agreed.

“You’re not gonna like this at all,” Tae said when he came into the room with Hobi in tow.

“What?” Yoongi rolled his head over to look at him.

“There’s a stomach bug going around and you must have caught it somehow,” Tae said.

“That’s not so horrible,” Yoongi said.

“Well, I’m concerned about the pup. You’re over 5 months now so it shouldn’t be an issue, but I just want to give it a check. You’re also going to need to be on IV fluids since you can’t keep anything down and you need to stay hydrated,” Tae finished. Hobi was already sitting with him and grooming him.

“No, please don’t. I can keep it down,” Yoongi begged.

“It’s not really a choice. Let me examine the pup first. Hobi, I’m going to have to put my hand in your mate’s personal space,” Tae said. “Do you remember what I did the first night, Yoongi?” He shook his head.

“I’m going to have to put my hand inside you to check. Trust me, I won’t derive any pleasure from this. I’ll make it as quick as possible,” Tae told him. He put on gloves. “When you’re ready.”

“I’m right here. I’ll hit him if he gets too handsy with you,” Hobi said as he helped Yoongi out of his pants and pulled up his shirt. “For our miracle pup.”

“Okay, do it,” Yoongi breathed. Tae started examining him.

“Come on, pup. Where’d you go, little one?” he said. “Say hi to Uncle Tae and your daddies.” Hobi knew his brother well enough to know that he was worried. The last thing he wanted to tell Yoongi was this pup was a stillborn. Hobi wasn’t sure he could take it either and it wasn’t even his pup.

Then the pup kicked.

“There you are,” Tae grinned. He took his hand out and took off his gloves. “I think the little one is fine. You still need fluids, though.”

Yoongi curled in on Hobi.

“I’ll let you pull yourself together first,” Tae said and got up.

“We got an IV when we were giving birth. It was supposed to be pain medication. It only took the edge off. When I had the litter, I almost passed out from the pain even though I was supposed to be getting pain medication,” Yoongi held out his right arm. Tae had mentioned needle marks the first night, but Hobi hadn’t looked beyond that. He looked more closely at Yoongi’s arm. There were a cluster of old needle marks inside his right elbow.

“This is just fluids to keep you hydrated while you’re sick. You both need to stay hydrated,” Hobi said. “Tae can even put it in your other arm. He’s very good with needles. You won’t even feel it.”

“How do you know?” Yoongi asked.

“Who do you think he practiced on in nursing school? I looked like a heroin addict for a year while he was learning. He’s perfect now, though. I made sure of that,” Hobi told him.

“Okay,” Yoongi said quietly.

“That’s my brave mate. I’m so proud of you. You’ll feel a lot better after, I promise,” Hobi said. He kissed the side of Yoongi’s head since he was still curled up in a ball around his belly in Hobi’s lap. He leaned over & texted Tae. Normally he would’ve yelled, but they’d stopped that practice when Yoongi came in. He was still jumpy when Alphas yelled even if it was just to get the other’s attention.

“I’ve got 2 more bags in the fridge. It’ll make you cold, but I know Hobi’s fat ass can help keep you warm,” Tae said.

“Excuse you,” Hobi said. Tae laughed.

“Just a little tiny pinch,” Tae said as Yoongi held out his left arm. “Done. Let me tape it down.”

“Done?” Yoongi looked up at Tae.

“What?” Tae asked.

“I didn’t feel anything,” Yoongi said. He looked at his arm and the IV was in. Tae had hung the bag off the post of the headboard.

“Told you,” Hobi rubbed his upper arm. He covered Yoongi with a blanket before he started to get cold.

“I almost feel bad I’m the first one who got to feel the pup kick,” Tae said.

“Not the first time I’ve felt a pup kick,” Yoongi looked up at him.

“No, but this is my niece or nephew and its Alpha daddy didn’t get to feel it first,” Tae said. Hobi smiled at him.

“I’ll let you have it, but only because you were making sure the heir to the Min-Jung throne is healthy,” he said.

“And you’re yourself again,” Tae rolled his eyes. “Feel better, Yoongi.”

“Thank you, Tae,” Yoongi smiled a little.

“Anytime, though I hope the next time my hand is up there, it’s pulling a full term healthy pup out,” he replied.

“Me too,” Yoongi agreed.

“Oh and Yoongi…?” Tae stopped by the door.

“Yeah?” he asked.

“Once you get over this bug, don’t make the house smell too much like sex,” Tae grinned.

“Seriously?” Hobi said.

“Yes. If it’s healthy enough to kick, then you should be fine. Not too rough, though,” he said.

“We’re gonna stink up the house,” Hobi said.

“I’ll get some air fresheners,” Tae said. “Good night.”

“Good night, Tae,” they replied.

“If I didn’t feel like shit and was on an IV, I’d have you knot me right now,” Yoongi uncurled a little & looked up at Hobi.

“I have absolute faith in that,” Hobi ran his hand through Yoongi’s hair. “Soon.”

A week later, Yoongi had recovered from the bug and managed to keep everything down. As they were getting ready for bed, the pup kicked. Yoongi took Hobi’s hand and put it on his belly.

“Come on, pup. Say hi to Alpha daddy,” he said. After a few seconds, he felt something move.

“Is that it?” Hobi asked.

“Not its best work, but yes,” Yoongi smiled. “So now you’ve felt your pup for the first time.”

“I have,” Hobi kissed him. Yoongi deepened the kiss and Hobi smelled slick. “Already?”

“We’re already naked,” Yoongi said.

“We are,” Hobi agreed.

“And I feel better,” Yoongi continued.

“Very good,” Hobi said.

“And you need to mark me. Make it official,” Yoongi kissed him more.

“There’s a little obstacle in the way,” Hobi rubbed the bump.

“I can do it the normal way,” Yoongi told him. The older he got, the more they had to force him to present. If they didn’t restrain him then he’d either refuse to hold still or try to pull away before the Alpha finished. They always tied him down if he’d been caught in the pen. That was the sick added bonus after the Alpha caught him or they tranquilized him and took him back inside. Yoongi had imagined other positions with his Alpha Prince Charming, but he hadn’t been pregnant in any of those fantasies.

“Not if it’ll upset you,” Hobi put his hand on Yoongi’s cheek.

“I know you’re back there and not a different Alpha. You won’t hurt me,” Yoongi hadn’t gotten to say those words in a long time. Maybe ever. “I want you more than I’m afraid of that.”

“Promise?” Hobi asked.

Yoongi kissed Hobi harder. He climbed up on the bed and willingly presented. Hobi got up behind him and slid into him. He rested his hands on Yoongi’s hips. Hobi slowly moved in and out of him.

“I know Tae said not rough, but you can go faster than that,” Yoongi said.

“Maybe I’m trying impress you with the slow and steady method,” Hobi replied.

“A little harder than that won’t hurt anyone,” Yoongi told him.

“Okay,” Hobi sped up a little & Yoongi started to make contented sounds. Almost like he was getting a massage rather than having sex. “I assume those are good noises?”

“Very good. Keep going,” Yoongi replied. Hobi lightly massaged Yoongi’s thighs. He settled even more.

“Is this a good pace?” Hobi asked, still slightly confused.

“Perfect,” Yoongi told him.

“Just tell me if you want me to change,” Hobi rubbed Yoongi’s hips.

“I will,” Yoongi relaxed into the pillow and swayed his back. His belly almost touched the bed. As Hobi moved in and out of him, he realized they weren’t having sex. They were making love. Hobi carefully leaned on Yoongi’s back and looped his arms under Yoongi’s armpits so he was in almost the same position as Yoongi. He was holding his weight in his shoulders, off Yoongi and the pup.

“I love you and the pup more than anything,” he kissed the back of Yoongi’s neck.

“We love you too,” Yoongi replied, pushing his hips back onto Hobi’s cock. “Now you can fuck me. Within reason.”

“Will do,” Hobi pushed himself back up and held on to Yoongi’s hips again. He moved as fast as he was comfortable with and Yoongi started to groan. He buried his face in the pillow and grunted the more Hobi thrust into him. Hobi felt his knot starting to form.

“Let it happen,” Yoongi breathed.

“No, you come first,” Hobi insisted. He reached down and grabbed Yoongi’s cock. Omega males didn’t have particularly large dicks, but Yoongi had enough to hold onto. Hobi started working it in time with his thrusting. Yoongi was screaming into the pillow. Hobi felt him start to twitch. “That’s it, love. Come for me.”

Yoongi let go and his orgasm took over. He pushed his hips back on Hobi’s cock and bit the pillow. Hobi held onto his hips as his knot got bigger.

“Finish,” Yoongi breathed. Hobi’s knot swelled inside Yoongi and his dick pumped hard into him. He couldn’t seem to catch his breath while he came. It wasn’t that he hadn’t had sex in years. It was that he’d never had sex that mattered. He’d never had sex with someone he cared about, someone he loved. That’s why he couldn’t breathe and saw stars. He hoped Yoongi felt the same way.

“That was amazing,” Yoongi breathed.

“Really?” Hobi asked.

“Yes,” Yoongi confirmed.

“Good,” Hobi smiled even though Yoongi couldn’t see it.

“I was a virgin when I went to the Breeder farm. I never got to choose who knotted me until right now,” Yoongi said.

“Well, you’re about to be officially stuck with me,” Hobi replied.

“Perfect,” Yoongi said.

Once Hobi’s knot went down and they separated, Yoongi sat up and looked at him.

“Ready?” he asked.

Hobi ran his hand down Yoongi’s neck.

“I almost hate to ruin your perfect skin,” he said.

“You won’t be ruining it, not by a long shot,” Yoongi replied.

“Okay,” Hobi kissed Yoongi’s shoulder and then bit down. He didn’t want to break the skin, just hard enough to leave a mark. Yoongi grunted.

“You okay?” Hobi jerked his head up.

“I’m fine,” Yoongi replied. “I apologize in advance if I bite you a little too hard. I’m used to biting Alphas for a different reason.”

“I can take it,” Hobi said. Yoongi put his teeth on Hobi’s shoulder and bit down. It was a hard bite. He’d definitely broken the skin. Hobi didn’t make a noise. He didn’t want to upset him.

“I made you bleed,” Yoongi said when he pulled back.

“It’s okay. I’ll have Tae patch me up,” Hobi told him. “It’s official now, love. I’m your mate.”

“And I’m yours,” Yoongi kissed him. The pup kicked. “I think pup is happy it’s official, too.”

“I’m glad you’re happy, pup,” Hobi planted a kiss on Yoongi’s belly. Yoongi smiled down at him.

“You’re gonna be a great dad,” he said.

“I hope so,” Hobi replied.

“I know so,” Yoongi ran his hand through Hobi’s hair. “Get Tae to fix up your shoulder and let’s go to bed.”

“Sounds good,” Hobi agreed.

For the first time since he got there, Yoongi didn’t panic when Hobi left the room without him. They were officially mated, he was home, and for the first time in 8 years felt truly safe.

#minors dni #bts sope #bts fanfic #bts angst #omegaverse #bts smut

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