#And for some reason it wouldn't let me put a space between 'lost' and 'the' just then

[polly-pocket13]

ramen

katsuki bakugou x reader

It was 1 am in the morning, when you were standing in a pajama and with your headphones on in the kitchen. Currently, you were cutting spring onions for your ramen while you were singing along to a song. 

All because you previously overslept dinner with your classmates. You were so tired from your workout after school that you felt asleep at 7 pm and woke up six hours later, pretty hungry. That's why you're in the kitchen at one in the morning making ramen.

The next thing you did was cut your finger because you weren't paying attention when you chopped the ingredients.

“Ah, shit.” you cursed quietly. 

“It surprises me that this took so long.” you quietly heard Bakugous voice behind you.

You turned around and looked confused at Bakugou who was standing at the door. You put down your headphones and asked him, “What do you mean, and why are you awake at 2 am?” 

“Firstly, I could ask you the same question, so why are awake at 2 am, dancing, singing in the kitchen and making ramen? Secondly, the way you're cutting things is terrifying, so it's a surprise that you cut your finger now and not earlier. You can be happy that you just cut your finger and nothing else happened.” he told you. 

“Tzz, Dickhead. I am hungry, that's the reason, I am making ramens. And my cutting isn't terrifying.” you said and held your finger under running cold water.

You blushed.

How long he has been watching you?

“Show me your finger.” he said.

He was now standing behind you.

“It isn't that bad.” you said, turned around to him and showed your best friend your finger.

He covered your cut with a band-aid.  You had goose bumps everywhere because he was so close.

You had a crush on your best friend Bakugou since the middle school, but you know he doesn't feel the same way for you.

This is the reason why you wouldn't ever reveal your feelings to him.

“Thank you.” you said and walked to the countertop, and slowly started to cut the ingredients for your ramen again.

“Like I said, terrifying.” he told you again and got behind you. “Let me help you.” he said and laid his hand on yours and helped you to cut your ingredients. 

To be honest, only he was cutting the ingredients, and you just tried to breathe and also held the knife as he was so fucking close to you. 

You could feel his breath on your neck. 

“See, not that hard.” he told you as he finished cutting all the ingredients. 

You said, “I could do it myself.”

“Sure, you could. But maybe you would have lost a finger.” he said and smirked.

You turned around so that you could look him in the eyes. His face was really close to yours.  “Shut up, Kacchan. Sometimes, you are a Jerk.” you mumbled. 

“Being a Jerk is a full-time job.” he only said and moved even closer to you.

What the fuck is he doing.

“You didn't tell me why you are awake at 1 am.” you said and tried to win some space, what didn't work out. “Couldn't sleep, there was someone on my mind.” he answered and tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear. “Who?” you asked. 

“Sometimes you are really dumb, nerd.” he said and closed the space between your lips.

Maybe it was fate that you overslept the dinner.

a/n: I'm not sure if I really like it, maybe I'll delete it later on.

[hispg]

Between royalty and vows

Pairings: Prince! Leon x Fem! Reader

Summary: A forced marriage, a fate set in stone, nothing could change that.

In the world of royalty, there were no choices, only obligations to fulfill. What you didn't expect was to become engaged to a renowned prince, ready to succeed the lineage.

Until that moment, you still had some hope that everything would work out, maybe it wasn't so bad. But it would be a shame if your future husband had a mistress.

Wouldn't it?

Wc:2.9k

Warnings: slow burn, angst, hurt/ comfort, cheating, arranged marriage, eventual smut, one-sided love, affairs, (I'll put more once things start to progress).

Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 |

Chapter 3: Coldening

The orange leaves falling on your balcony, the cold autumn wind signaling the end of the season. You could already see that most of the trees had lost their leaves.

What's more, most people were no longer going out without any kind of warmth, the chill that seemed to warn of a harsh winter approaching.

But the weather outside wasn't the only thing that was getting cold.

As you walked through the castle corridors, you rubbed your hands together to keep warm on that cold afternoon. Even if you were covered.

At least if you had someone to warm you up, you wouldn't need much.

However, you couldn't help but notice Leon's presence at the end of the corridor.

He was just staring out of the window, arms crossed and a furrowed brow, as usual. At first you had no plans to approach him and try to strike up some kind of conversation, perhaps because you were still closed off and tending to your recent hurt.

In fact, things had become even more distant between you. Since the last incident, you only met for breakfast and dinner respectively, not even at lunchtime, since Leon avoided you like the plague.

As a result, you simply interpreted that he didn't want to have any kind of conversation with you, and even you got used to the distance that was forming. Perhaps it would be better this way, each in their own space, to avoid so many problems.

However, what you least expected was to hear his voice calling you, almost in a whisper, "Can I talk to you?"

For a moment you stopped in your tracks, looking down and thinking for a moment. You couldn't just say no, that would be rude, but was it time to talk to him?

You didn't have time to consider any of this, as just then you felt his warm hand being placed gently on your shoulder, as if he wanted you to notice his presence, maybe to get your attention if only for a minute.

"Excuse me, Prince, I was a little lost in my thoughts." You say softly, turning your face towards him.

The same sweet, gentle smile was there, even though it was fake, you were incredibly convincing.

"Did something happen?" He asks in a sincere whisper, looking at you with a calm expression.

And for a brief moment you let yourself believe that he cared, even if it was far from reality.

"No, nothing. Just nervous, the wedding is next week." You say, yet the wedding was the least of your worries.

He looks you up and down, narrowing his eyes as if he doesn't believe a word you say.

Not least because he knew why you'd been so upset recently, he was the reason all this was happening.

"I see. Would you mind accompanying me?" He says calmly, offering you his arm.

Which, by the way, you politely declined, putting both your hands down the front of your dress. You made it perfectly clear that you didn't want to be that close.

Maybe it was wrong, but you couldn't act as if nothing had happened.

So he got the message, even if he was a little disappointed. He started walking towards the courtyard, hoping that you would accompany him.

And so you did, not making much of a point of starting any kind of conversation or anything like that. You just kept quiet and followed him, willing to listen to whatever he had to say.

You noticed his gaze on you, an almost guilty look, if you didn't know him, you could have sworn there was a hint of regret in his gaze.

But you knew it was just another insignificant justification.

The only sound was the rustling breeze, the wind that cut through the air and made you shiver. Along with the sound of dry leaves crunching with every step you both took.

"You refused my flowers." He whispered, calm as ever, yet you could sense a certain bitterness in his words.

You sighed, almost imperceptibly. How could you willingly accept it like that? As if nothing had happened, it seemed too hypocritical.

They were certainly the most expensive and beautiful flowers he could find, you had no doubt about that.

Just as he spared no expense in giving you the most expensive jewelry, the shiny necklaces that adorned your neck.

He couldn't buy your affection as he thought he could, or your silence and understanding. There was no money or jewel in the world that could make you understand and accept this situation.

"I'm sorry for the discourtesy, but I thought the flowers didn't go well in my room." You say simply, not bothering to look him in the eye.

It was obviously a lie, but you weren't going to be that blunt. Maybe he had a good excuse, right?

Deep down you knew it was just a foolish thought, because the truth was clearer than day.

"I see, I'll consider your opinion the next time I go to pick flowers." He says, the tone unmistakable from the distance between the two of you.

You nod, not paying much attention to his actual words. You knew it was a silent apology, but you still didn't know if you could accept it so easily.

Not least because it was a mistake of his that would be repeated, and you feared it would never stop.

Noticing your silence, he sighed. It was hard to admit that he missed hearing you jabbering with him, but at the end of the day it was an expected reaction on your part.

"I actually invited you here for another reason," He begins calmly, taking a seat on one of the benches in the courtyard.

You silently repeat the gesture, looking him in the eye and waiting for him to continue.

He lets out a quiet sigh, gently placing his hand on yours. A gesture that surprised you, to say the least.

Since when did he do this kind of thing with you?

"I need to go on a quick business trip, it'll last a few days. I just wanted to let you know." He mutters quietly, and genuinely doesn't seem happy with what he's just said.

You look at him a little puzzled, even suspicious. Why such a sudden trip? Just a few days before the wedding.

As if he had read your thoughts, he ran his thumb over the back of your covered hand, as if to reassure you of something.

"Don't worry, I think I'll be here until the wedding." The way he talked about the marriage in such a nonchalant way was enough to make you tense up a little.

Couldn't he at least pretend? Could he perhaps be less rude?

"I hope you're here, Your Highness." You said it slowly, and incredibly quietly, in a way that was a contrast to what you were feeling.

He noticed the way you narrowed your eyes, or even when you removed his hand from yours. Resting both your hands on your lap.

Then Leon nodded, correcting his sentence, "I'll be here. I wouldn't miss it."

And frankly, that didn't calm your heart one bit. What if he didn't show up? What if he decided to run away and just leave?

These were questions that plagued your mind, especially over the last few days. You couldn't imagine the embarrassment of this situation if it became real.

You already knew the ground you were standing on, and you were being very cautious not to let all this sink your future marriage even further.

"How many days will you be away?" You ask as you look at the bush of flowers.

The flowers that reminded you of so many things. Too bad most of those memories were negative.

"Probably four days at most. I don't want to spend too long away." He answered your question, his gaze not leaving yours for a single second.

It was as if he wanted to say more than he could, maybe he even regretted something. Or it could be something from your hopeful mind that was praying that this situation would somehow be reversed.

"And also, I wanted to talk to you about something else." He begins, tucking a lock of your hair behind your ear.

"Tell me, something to do with the trip?" You ask quietly, turning to give the prince your attention.

"I don't like the idea of you being alone while I'm away. I understand that there are several servants in the castle, but I'd still prefer to remain attentive." His words were enough to make you frown, pursing your lips into a small pout.

"No need to worry, you know I'm in good hands here." And indeed that was it, it wasn't as if you were somewhere dangerous.

In fact, you found his sudden concern strange.

"Even so, a friend I trust will be spending a few days at the castle. Chris Redfield, I suppose you've heard of him." Leon says while still placing his hand against yours.

You nodded in response, remembering the much-talked-about Duke who had recently arrived at the castle.

You hadn't imagined that he was a close friend of Leon's or anything like that, so it was actually a surprise.

"I'd like to introduce him to you." Leon says as he stands up, expecting you to accompany him.

You did so without much reluctance, even eager to see the so-called Duke. The dark-haired man was there, at the main entrance, having a conversation with the King, they seemed quite close.

But their attention soon turned to you and Leon, the couple of the moment. And you pretended so well that the people around you believed it.

Leon's father patted him on the shoulder, while Chris looked you up and down.

He was handsome, tall, strong and shapely, undoubtedly very popular with the ladies.

"A pleasure to meet you, princess." Chris says, bowing and smiling at you.

"My pleasure." You say with a gentle, genuine smile, looking at the man in front of you with tenderness.

The brief moment was interrupted by a group of stewards who came to whisper to Leon about the journey, warning him that he would have to check the carriage, just to make sure it was up to his standards, and take care of a few other things that you didn't quite understand.

With that, the king left with Leon to sort out what had to be done, and he didn't even bother to say goodbye to you.

"If you don't mind, I can take you for a walk." Chris says with a cutting smile, making it almost impossible to say no.

And well, it wasn't as if you had much to do at the moment, so there was no reason to refuse.Not to mention that Chris saw how disconcerted you were.

"Of course, I'm flattered." You say with a sweet smile, walking slowly through the castle as he follows you.

You couldn't think of a nicer person to spend the afternoon with. The man had so much experience, you could talk about so many subjects with him, and yet he could dissect each one perfectly.

You even found common subjects, and before you knew it you had spent the whole afternoon together, in fact it was already evening.

If it were up to you, you'd be talking to him for hours on end, but you knew you had your own things to do, and so did he.

You couldn't complain about the company you'd have for the next few days, it would help you not to feel so alone.It was a real shame when you had to say goodbye, after all, it was time for you to go to your quarters.

"Thanks for the company." You said with a genuine smile, stopping in front of your bedroom door.

Chris smiled, bowing to you, "My pleasure."

You couldn't tell, but from his tone, he seemed to be someone so subdued and gentle. A perfect contrast to Leon's personality.

You keep smiling, preparing to say goodbye to him, "Good evening, Duke."

He then says gently, "Good evening, Princess."

You nod and turn to enter your room, smiling from ear to ear, happy to have had a calmer moment after the recent storms.

"Were you outside at that time?" It was the first thing you heard as soon as you closed the door.

It was enough to make you look around your room, and it didn't take long for you to frown slightly, trying your best to keep your composure.

"Yes, prince. I was with the Duke…" You said quietly, looking at him calmly, acting as if his tone hadn't affected you.

For a moment you could have sworn you saw a sneer forming at the corner of his lips, as he got up from your bed and walked over to you.

"Forgive the inconvenience, princess. However, I don't think it's appropriate for you to stay late in the courtyard…" He begins, looking you up and down as if he were analyzing you, making sure you were in one piece.

You nodded, you could even think and know where this conversation was going. And you'd give in, maybe he'd make some sense.

"I can't imagine why." You say, moving to your dresser, sitting down on the small stool to start removing your jewelry.

It was clear that you knew the reason, yet you wanted him to refresh your memory.

You heard his sigh, as well as his impatient expression as you looked in the mirror.

"You know, princess. It's not proper for a woman to be out and about after eight o'clock, even more so with a man who isn't her husband." Leon says, trying his best to maintain his usual calm and inexpressive appearance.

He was probably only doing it to keep up the appearance of the two of you, so as not to make the situation even worse. You knew it was nothing sentimental, far from jealousy.

He couldn't be jealous of someone he didn't like.

"I don't understand the problem." You said nonchalantly, removing the sparkling necklace that was illuminated by the serene light in the room.

"People will talk, princess." He retorts, putting his hands on his hips and looking at you.

From his point of view, he didn't mind if you had someone else in your life, it would even be better because he would be free. But there was a contract to fulfill, a farce to maintain. And he was mad if he chose to compromise it in such a way.

You just smiled, raising your eyebrows while still admiring yourself in the mirror, "People talk about so many things."

You knew you had been bold, and that you had even overstepped the mark. But the look on his face was priceless.

He knew what you were referring to, he knew perfectly well where your hint had been directed.

You watched his lips press together in irritation as he narrowed his eyes. He wasn't naive and understood the allusion in your words.

And that was all he needed to move closer to you, taking the opportunity to place his cold hand on your shoulder, as if to make you feel his presence, or even to remind you of why he was here.

"We shouldn't give way to unnecessary speculation." He says seriously, putting both hands on your shoulders, looking at you through the mirror.

You'd be lying if you said his touch didn't send shivers down your spine, making you let out a breath you didn't even know you were holding.

As well as the gasp you couldn't contain as soon as you felt his lips on your ear, his warm breath against your skin, unconsciously making you clutch the fabric of your dress tightly.

"We should avoid misunderstandings. You know…" He whispers, making a point of keeping his piercing blue eyes on you.

He knew the power he had over you, and wouldn't hesitate to use a little manipulation to keep you under control.

You turned your face towards him, getting so close that your lips were almost touching, the tip of his nose brushing lightly against yours.

If you looked closely, you could see that the distance in his gaze had gone, and deep down there was a new expression in those eyes that were so cold.

Sympathy? Inquisitiveness? Apprehension?

You couldn't say for sure, but it was something new. You risked saying that maybe, just maybe, he was seeing you differently.

It was a low blow on his part, but he had you at his mercy, and he was willing to use that to his advantage.

"Avoiding misunderstandings…" You murmured, not failing to look him in the eye for a second.

The closeness was enough to make you feel butterflies in your stomach, to make your breathing quicken without the slightest intention.

"Yes, dear." The nickname that rolled off his lips so naturally that you believed the tenderness in his voice.

He moved away from you with a calculated elegance, looking at your features through the mirror. He knew he had won this time.

You sighed discreetly, straightening your posture as you stared at him.

God, how could he have such an effect on you?

He knew you'd gotten the message, he knew he'd made it perfectly clear what he wanted. It didn't take long for him to realize that his words had already been absorbed by you, and he wasn't going to repeat them.

"I wish you a good night, Your Highness." He says with a brief, sideways smile, then leaves your room.

You stare at the closed door, feeling your heart flutter in such a way.

Did he really think of you like that?

Dear… That's what he called you.

Oh, heavens. How you'd beg just to hear him call you 'my dear'.

Just once more.

It couldn't hurt, could it?

[ahgasegotarmy116]

Semantic Error | A Jeon Jungkook Series | Chapter 6

Based off of Semantic Error (bl) by J Soori Summary: Jungkook invites you over to work on the game but you but it's hard to focus when he's around Pairing: Techie inexperienced fem!reader x Artist fuck boy Jungkook Work Count: 1.9k~ a/n: So so sorry I've taken a longer break between posting but let me know what you think about this chapter ;) hardly edited but I figured I would get it out anyway Read from the beginning

I couldn't pay attention in class thanks to him. His stupid voice with his stupid flirting and his stupid face then to top it off having all of that up close and personal made my stupid brain go into overdrive, losing what little space I had left to combat his antics. I hate that he can make me feel like this. And for what? Because he called me pretty? More specifically used it as a pet name, which somehow amplifies the meaning, sending my sense of reason for a spin. I huff audibly as I gather my things and get ready to head out to meet 'he who shall not be named' at this point. I just need to leave class, work there for a few hours and then go home. Simple as that. 

"You okay?" I hear behind me in a semi familiar voice. I turn around perplexed as to who the voice could belong to and see the guy I had helped the other day. " I'm fine" I say and turn back around to continue packing up my belongings. "It's Jimin, we met the other day when you helped me carry all of the music books" he says, not sure if I would need the reminder. "I know" I say plainly and make my way out of the classroom. "Hey, where you headed?" he asks following me without a care in the world. "I'm done for the day so I'm going to go work on something" I say giving him the bare minimum, hoping he won't prod further but unfortunately that's not the case.

"What are you working on?" he asks, clearly curious but also kind of not, seeming happy to simply be making conversation with me for some reason. "A video game application" I say and leave the building with him trailing behind. "Oh wow that's really cool! I had no idea you were into that stuff" he says, clearly shocked learning what I'm capable of but blowing it somewhat out of proportion. It's not as hard as it seems but many people tend to lack the concentration, let alone have the desire to learn.

"Yeah well, bye" I say and walk a bit faster, heading towards the gates. "Wait, I could walk you to where you need to go. I'm done for the day as well" he says jogging a few steps to catch up to me. "That won't be necessary" I say and continue onto my destination but he walks with me anyways. "Why are you following me?" I ask, finally stopping to look at him and see what his goal with all of this is. 

"I just want to make sure you get to your destination safely" he says giving me a sweet smile. "She's safe with me" that stupid voice that I wasn't expecting to hear so soon says while taking hold of my hand. "Oh hey hyung, I didn't know you and y/n were working together" Jimin says, greeting Jungkook. "Well now you do" he says and then we all stand there in somewhat of an awkward silence until I pull my hand out of Jungkook's grasp. "Let's go" I demand and continue to walk towards the gates. "Bye y/n" I hear Jimin say behind me and I decide not to acknowledge it. "See you" Jungkook says to Jimin before following my lead. 

"Do you guys hang out often?" he says falling into step with me and guides us towards his studio. "No we don't and why didn't you just wait for me like I told you to?" I question still feeling uncomfortable from the situation I had been put into moments ago. "Because I wanted to walk with you, plus this way I could make sure you wouldn't run off or get lost. I promise next time I'll just wait for you to come" he says pressing the button at the crosswalk for us. "Whatever" I say under my breath, fixing the strap on my backpack but before I can settle it back into place I feel it being take off of me.

"Hey! What are you doing?" I say looking over at, surprise surprise you guessed it Jeon Jungkook now carrying my bag. "Give it back!" I say reaching for it but before I'm able to reach it he starts walking down the street, showing me it's time for us to cross. "Hey!" I yell after him but all he does is continues to hold it out of my reach. "Just let me carry it for you" he says, slinging it across his shoulder and widening his strides leaving me trailing behind him without much of an option to do otherwise. 

Once we get to his studio I'm met with another girl around our age blasting her music throughout the place and popping the bubble she just blew in her gum. "Hey Yuna!" Jungkook shouts, trying to be heard over the music. "Yuna!" he yells again and decides to just walk up to her to grab her attention. "So much for keeping to herself" I mumble under my breath. "Oh hey, sorry I was totally spacing out. Is this the girl you were talking to me about? You work in the computer science department right?" she asks, zeroing in on me. "Something like that" I say walking further into the room, taking a look at how messy it is.

 "Oh yeah sorry about the mess, things have been really hectic around here" Jungkook says walking over to his desk and clearing off some more space for me. "Pick up that trash first, and put away those books and..." I list off some ways to reorganize the studio into a more suitable working environment. "Clean up your desktop too. Seeing all the icons on the screen is giving me anxiety" I say and he surprisingly does everything that I've asked him to do without much trouble at all. 

"What did you do to him?" Yuna whispers to me, clearly impressed by how well he's following my instructions."I didn't really do anything. I told him that if this wasn't a suitable working environment for me that he would be working on this project solo" I say stating the facts. "Wow" she says not believing it, "Well I'm gonna get back to work, good luck" she says, amused at the dynamic already. 

"Hey" I say getting her attention before she gets back to work. "Can you please uses those headphones you have beside you? It'll be hard to concentrate with your music blaring in my ears" I say and go back to watching as Jungkook completes the list. Hearing what I've said Jungkook comes over to Yuna's desk and nicely puts her headphones on her so there's no argument to be had and she simply blinks at my sudden change in attitude towards her but goes back to work without another word.

I sit down next to him and place my laptop down on the desk and take a deep breath, opening it and turning it on after taking one more quickly glance around the place. "Begin" I say and he starts to open up one of his drawing programs and sketches out some various characters and background ideas while I continue to piece together the code for the whole thing. 

"How's it going?" he says after a bit looking over at my screen, interested in what actually goes into working on the behind the scenes stuff. "It's going" I say and continue typing the various strings of code working out how the character moves around the different environments. "Oh okay" he says, taking that as a sign of me not wanting to continue the conversation. "How are things going on your end?" I ask and lean over to look at his screen and I can see how he almost lights up at my question in my peripheral vision but decide to ignore it. 

He turns his screen towards me a bit so I can sit back a bit into a more comfortable position and explains all of the different outfits and ideas for power up items and he thoughts about what can be added to the storyline. "Yeah everything looks okay, but I don't want to settle for okay. You need to change this, it looks too crazy, I want something a bit neater" I say pointing out different flaws in almost all of his designs. 

"You do realize these are just the rough drafts?" he says rubbing his temples after going through and changing things as I give him one critique after the other. "Yes but I thought your work would look a bit better than this compared to what you've shown me before"I state pointing out a few more things to change. "Okay I need a break" he says standing up and stretching before laying down on the couch and pulling one of the blankets over him. 

"What are you doing? We've only been working for two hours" I say confused as to why he would need a break this early. "Exactly, it's been two hours and I'm tired, just give me like fifteen minutes and I'll start cleaning up the designs" he says and turns over giving his back to me and settling in to take a power nap. I roll my eyes at him and just decide to just go back and continue what I had been working on before I started checking up on his designs. 

Getting lost in work I notice that it's been almost thirty minutes instead of the promised fifteen and try to call him over to get back to work. "Jungkook wake up" I say but it seems to have no effect on him so I groan and get up and walk towards where he's laying down and find him laying on his back, sound asleep. With the position he's reclined in I'm given a full view of his face, leaving me a chance to study his features for a second. 

He really is attractive, I can't deny that but that cocky attitude he has on him turns me off. His flirting is a different story though, feeling myself starting to blush again. I kneel next to the couch to see if he's really sleeping but it really does seem like he's still passed out. I brush the bit of hair that has fallen into his face back a bit and lean towards him a little bit. "You're really sleeping right?" I say and still he lays still, not making a sound and an unknown force pushes me closer to him and I end up placing a light kiss on his lips. 

I pull back and cover my lips with a hand after realizing what I've done and quickly but quietly pack up my things and leave. I open the door and am met with the sight of Yuna coming down to hallway back towards the studio. "Oh y/n you're still here. Is everything okay?" she says clearly noticing the almost panicked look on my face and blush slowly creeping up on my cheeks. "Yes never better. Please tell Jungkook I'm going home when he wakes up" I say and without another word run down the hall and out the onto the street making my way towards my apartment as quickly as humanly possible.  

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[the-element-siren]

It Started WIth an Arrangement, Pt 3

Vex gets a little sibling time and talks about her current observations of her betroth

The private moment only lasted for a few minutes. A knock on the door followed with a warning before Vax and Velora came in.

"Hi Stubby, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," she said as she helped lift Velora onto the bed.

"He is very handsome, Vex. He needs to smile, though."

"You think so?"

"Yes, your babies will be so cute!" Velora beamed at her sister, not noticing the slight blush on Vex's face. Vax snickered, seeing her face, and Vex glared in return. Velora was the only reason she didn't throw something at him.

"I wonder if he's nice. He only talked to Father, but Father didn't look happy with what he said," Velora mused, not noticing her older siblings' antics.

"Father misspoke about their family, I wouldn't let that go either."

"How?"

"Percival explained in one of his letters that his Mother is the ruler of Whitestone. Most of the time, men are in charge, but things work a little differently here. But Father assumed that Percival was the ruler because his Father died."

"Oh," was all Velora said before she decided to explore Vex's room.

Vex realized that she hadn't looked around after entering. It was a lovely room, big with lots of space and lots of natural light. She had just realized how comfortable the bed was. She briefly wondered what Percival's room looked like or if they would get a new room altogether.

"Stubby?"

She turned to look at Vax, who looked a little anxious.

"Sorry, just lost in some thoughts."

They kept their voices low so Velora wouldn't hear. They loved their sister but she had yet to learn to keep confidences and often relayed conversations to nearly anyone who would listen.

"I asked what you thought of his lordship."

"Well, he readily corrected his mother's title, so that seems promising. He didn't even speak to me."

"That did earn some favor, any man who will defend his mother like that can't be all bad. He and his sister were very grave though. Like Velora said, no smiles."

"Hhmm"

"What exactly is the situation with their sovereignty? I'm assuming he explained it in one of his letters."

"His family has reigned for a little over two hundred years. The inheritance is actually gender-neutral,  so there have been a handful of female rulers. His mother was heir to the current line, she had an older sister but she died from illness young, and her husband was a second cousin or something like that. His grandfather arranged the marriage to combine the branches or something along those lines."

"Vex, come see!"

The twins looked to see their sister at the window seat. They shared a smile and headed to see what captured Velora's attention. The view was absolutely lovely; she could see some of the grounds that ended in the woods. The whole view looked like something out of a book.

A knock interrupted and servants filled the room with her belongings. They moved quickly and Devana came in just as they finished.

"There you are."

"I wanted to see Vex," Velora sheepishly answered.

All three of them just smiled at her innocence.

"Well, the servants are working on organizing your room but I told them to leave your toys. I expect you to keep them all in line while we are here."

"They didn't put Sir Baboon near Lady Badger, did they? They're currently in a terrible fight."

"Why don't you go see?"

Velora rushed out of the room, leaving her family to giggle at her adorableness.

Devana sat with the twins, looking straight at Vex. She knew that Vex would tell Vax everything, so there was no point asking for privacy. One of the few good things of the last year was that the twins had grown close with their stepmother. She wasn't their mother, for no one could ever replace Elaina, but there was a warmth between them.

"Well, my dear?"

"Well, what?" Vex knew what she wanted to know but the words wouldn't come out.

"Vex"

"There is nothing to tell, he didn't even say hello to me."

"Did he measure up to his letters? From the painting that was sent, I thought he'd be more boyish. At least he's very handsome."

"Between you and Velora, I think I have to worry about one of you stealing him. He is handsome, from the way he described himself, I had the same image from the painting but maybe a bit older."

"What happened with Father making that mistake with the titles? Doesn't seem like him, I would have thought he'd have memorized the whole family's dossiers."

"Most humans follow male primogeniture, and with the death of Lord Fredrick a few years ago, it seemed the nature assumption. Your father is in an uproar, especially with Lord Percival correcting him like that, his poor aid is going through the worst of it right now."

"It looks like he's used to having to correct people but I think it's a good sign of character that he won't let his mother be slighted like that and he held his own against father so easily."

"I agree and if you're both feeling up to it, Lady Joanna would like a private dinner with both our families. Dress is casual but make sure to wear something nice," Devana said that last part while giving them a look that said 'no antics'.

Vax and Devana got up to get ready. Before she left, Devana suggested that the new red dress, which she noticed had become a favorite of Vex's quickly. She also reminded her that red was a lucky color.

If anyone has ideas for what red dress should look like, send it to me as an ask. I'll post the dinner in response to my choice

[aley-nag]

Bumpy road, pretty result

Whoaaaa. This one...

The next fanfiction I bound was Cinder and Smoke by @thelittleblackfox. I lover their work to pieces. They write incredible thought out Stucky!AU's with a lot of fantasy aspects or really good scifi and I wanted badly to do one of their fics, but waited til I was a little happier with my results and could make a pretty cover. We decided together on this one and I started formatting... And then I stopped for a long while because Word is the devil.

Cinder & Smoke is a western!AU and just about the most romantic thing I've ever read. It has yearning and a little angst and a very distinct vibe that feels like Fernweh and wilderness and change. Go read it!

I worked on it between June and December 23 and Christmas was the only reason I finished it this quickly, but I did not want to leave it unfinished for the turn of the year.

Sadly I don't have a lot of pictures, but when I'm finished with my copy I'll post some more.

Now we'll come to the journey it was to finish this!

It started out rather uncomplicated, because I thought I had gotten the hang of formatting and then, when I tried adjusting the font and overall look of the text body Word kept killing the italics. And I googled and tried and experimented and I just couldn't get it to stop. I was so frustrated, oh god. It put me off a little and I had to leave it for a while. When I came back around to it I found a slightly butchered solution, that works though so I won't question it. After that formatting went smoother and I was able to bind it. I used paper from that same supplier that fucked up my paper order for the covers from the notebooks. But only after I had it printed I noticed that it was cut crooked and wouldn't cleanly fold in half. I despaired a little, said fuck it and hoped it wouldn't be to noticeable. I think it's alright.

Binding went really well and I think that's the cleanliest job I did to this date.

Did the endbands by hand to match the color scheme I was aiming for. Because of the title I wanted to invoke fire and used primarily black and red for the coloring.

Then came the cover. First of all, don't use black bookcloth. You will see every. single. mistake. Also dust and glitter... I brushed this thing so often, you wouldn't believe it.

And I tried different vinyl. I couldn't find the right shade of red I wanted, it's a little hard to source it around here so I went an entirely different route and used golden glitter vinyl. What I didn't know until after I plotted the design: The glitter has texture. I couldn't see a single cut-line. I had to keep the picture open to work along the edges and not rip the letters. Still lost all of the i-points 😭

The flower was pretty easy though. Glueing it on was also quite hard because it just wouldn't hold and I got glitter everywhere. Which let to more brushing but I'm afraid mailing it destroyed all that work :D

Anyway. I am sooo happy with how it turned out I instantly forgot about all annoyances and was able to mail it before the end of the year and that was a really satisfying last project, so all is well :)

This was also the first time I had the idea of choosing a little icon for the author's penname because most of the time I don't have enough space for the entire name. I reworked all of the other books to accomodate that.

Binding Details

Body Text: Garamond, 11

Half Title/Chapter Heading: Gold Lines Trial, 20

Full Title: Carnivalee Freakshow, 48

Word Count: 57.197

Pages: 232

Paper: publishing paper A4, 90g, 1,5x volume (from the retailer from hell :/)

[emmis15]

Daryl's three favorite memories,

2-

Daryl was leaning against the corner of that small room as loud music played. The tears streaming down his face were inevitable, and he was trying everything he could to stop them and at least close his eyes. Lost in hopelessness and the desire to die, he couldn't shake the guilt of the situation, along with not knowing what was happening outside or how Kat was doing. He stared at a fixed point between the dim light coming in and the floor, reminiscing about an old memory from when they were at the prison.

—Judith, I promise if you stop crying for Aunt Kat, I'll let you play with my pens, okay? —I heard the whisper of my "girlfriend's" soft voice as she returned from guard duty; dawn was breaking through the cell windows.

—What are you doing?—I leaned against the bars of the open door, looking at her. She looked tired, her hair tied back haphazardly, and dark circles prominent under her eyes.

—I accidentally hit the metal plate with the candle and woke her up, so I'm trying to calm her down so the others can sleep a little longer.—Kat rocked the baby in her arms as she whispered to him, but the little troublemaker wouldn't stop crying.

I approached her and took the baby from her arms, resting the baby's head on my shoulder and moving around the small space just as I had seen Carol and Beth do many times before. Kat tied her hair back better, focusing on organizing the scattered papers on the desk quickly.

—Did you get any sleep? —I asked, running my hand over Judith's head.

—Sleeping these days is a waste of time. I have to make the most of it to organize the group my way while Rick is grieving and having schizophrenic episodes anyway—she replied brusquely. I raised an eyebrow at her tone, which made her relax, calm her shoulders, and lean against the table.

Her arms crossed over her chest as she sighed, looking at her worn-out sneakers and the dirty floor. I could see her biting her lip hard as she avoided my gaze.

—You should sleep— I said, looking at her.

—At the moment, that's a luxury I can't afford.

—I know we're all going through a tough time. Lori's death was unexpected, but believe me, even when we have to regroup without Rick, we all take some rest, even if it's just a little.

—I know, and all I care about is that everyone rests so we can work tomorrow. But I took Rick's place for a reason; I can handle these situations. I can multitask, but time waits for no one, and I can't waste minutes or hours closing my eyes only to realize tomorrow that no one is guarding the fence or that essential supplies are missing. — his hands moved to his hips as he spoke.

—I know, really, I do, dear, but you can't carry the entire group on your shoulders, okay? We're supposed to be a team, or isn't that what you always say? —I asked in a softer tone as the baby began to fall asleep.

—That's what I say, but every team has a leader. Rick was the leader, but now he's seeing things in the air or ignoring his son, and I can't let everything fall apart. We all contribute in some way, but there will always be someone who has to bear the brunt of it, and that's okay because I want to be that person. I have ideas and an organization that's self-sufficient and fair to everyone, better than what we had before—she grabbed her papers and showed them to me, proving her point.

I sighed heavily and approached her, picking up the scribbled sheets with indecipherable handwriting and putting them back where they were before embracing her tightly against my chest. I could feel her muscles relax under my touch as she wrapped her arms around my body.

—I'm pretty sure your plan for managing everything and ensuring equitable tasks will be a success, I know it. But I need you to rest because when you go to manage everything and control or do your tasks, it'll be very hard for you. You'll get tired, and somehow you'll end up ruining your perfectly planned work— I spoke against her hair, kissing her forehead gently.

We remained silent, enjoying the rays of sun beginning to enter through the small window, the light gradually warming our skin.

—¿You are going to sleep?

—No, I have to explain my plan and convince everyone that it's the best idea. Forget all of Rick's work to do what I want while he's grieving. Besides, I promised Lori to take care of her son, so I have to give everything I can to make his grieving process as bearable as possible and not force his sister onto him as an obligation— she pulled away from me as she spoke, running her hands over her face to wake herself up.

—Carl is a smart kid, ¿okay? He will realize when you are with him out of obligation and fatigue, and that will not help.

—But at least I'm doing something, okay? I'm not trying to shield him from pain or ignore him like Rick does. I promised Lori I'd take care of her son and daughter, and if I have to collapse from exhaustion to do it, I will, not just for him, but for everyone.

—You should be able to rest and enjoy the possible stability it gives you. Not carrying all the work or the burden of the group, trying to live a normal life that we will never have again. That's your problem too, Kat. You are trying to paint reality rosy so that we can feel good about the little normality we have in this new world.

¿The problem? When everything goes to hell, it is a much harder blow for everyone to face reality.

—I can't do it. Someone has to suffer for everyone else to be happy, and I offer myself as a tribute to the harsh reality, so everyone can have a plate of food, shelter, family, comics, and baby food—she was about to slam her hand on the table, but my tense look at Judith stopped her in time, letting her hand drop slowly onto the wood.

I sighed, she was as stubborn as a mule, but I wouldn't stop until she could close her eyes for at least five minutes.

—Let's make a deal, ¿okay? I need to sleep now. I'll give you three hours to do everything, and if you're not in my bed with me by 9, I'll come looking for you— I pointed at her sternly.

She gave me a dirty look, but she nodded anyway, just in time to hear the whole group starting to get up because the sun was already high in the sky.

I left Judith in Carol's arms before walking to my cell and collapsing onto the lousy bed to grab a couple of branches that weren't yet arrows to distract myself, waiting for her to come to my arms. Calculating the time with a tap of my foot against the wall and in my mind, counting the seconds and minutes like a clock.

I knew the three hours had passed because no one was in the dining area, and everyone was scattered with papers in their hands. It seemed like everyone had agreed to try Kat's idea, even if they didn't understand her handwriting or the concept, judging by the confusion on their faces, like Glenn's.

I was about to get up heavily and my eyes barely open, but I saw her walking tiredly to my cell.

—40 minutes, just that, Glenn's going to come wake me up because I know he won't have any compassion if I get mad at him for letting me sleep longer—she nestled into my chest as if it were her pillow and wrapped her arms around my neck.

—You and Maggie have the poor guy trapped between a rock and a hard place—I said with laughter in my voice, closing my eyes and enjoying her weight on my body.

I chuckled before feeling her lips on mine and then resting her head against my neck, my hands on her waist resting as if it were my home between the worn seams of her jeans and the little skin left exposed by the short shirt she was wearing.

Hello, I hope you like it and that you can give it a like or reblog to reach more people. English is not my native language, so if there is any mistake, please let me know respectfully <3

[enigmawriteswhump]

The Last Librarian

Part 1

💠 Next

______________

It was easy to fall into the rhythm.

Secretary work was mind-numbingly boring, and paid less than was appreciated. But, the main reason why I kept going was that I needed to survive.

I needed to survive, so I could live. 

The lady I worked for ran a small shop named Stone Spirits, a little upstart company. They were backing off the new, trending holistic measures that the last few years had set spinning into motion. To be fair, it meant I was able to add more gems to my ongoing collection, and get free tarot readings once a month. Clara was nice once you got to know her. I mean, once you looked past the three piercings hanging from her nose, and the streaks of neon in her hair. It was enough to ward anyone straight-laced far, far away.

Sometimes I thought she was Fae from the way she practically floated on air with "nature's healing grace", as she called it. I also wondered how many zapain she was on per day to keep her so calm while running a company. 

I'm able to handle spreadsheets, orders, but it wasn't what I really saw myself doing for too much longer. I'd wanted to go into maybe geology, or maybe just art, or maybe something in between. 

Life falls apart sometimes, and puts you back together in all the wrong places. I'm still trying to rearrange things. 

Finally, the clock hits five, and I am able to lean away from my laptop. My fingers reach towards my head, and gently rub my sinuses. I was going to sue Clara for making me work and enticing me with free stones. I swear, I never had so many headaches before I started this job. 

I wearily raise my head, eyes alighting on the time. 

Shit! I have to let Lucas in! 

Scrambling back, I chuck my woolen poncho on, tuck a scarf around my neck and snatch up my bag. 

With hurried steps, the bell echoed shrilly as the door swung shut behind me.

***

My breath is still shuddering as I collapse into the chair, the fifteen minute walk before he arrived had me rushing. I wasn't usually so easily lost in thought, life kept me busy enough. But in the last year, I'd started an extra volunteering session in the library for children who had parents working in the district. They needed a place to go before their parents arrived from work. 

I'd actually worked in this library before, and it had been a nice, little part time job for me as a teen', but the place had since... Deteriorated. Staff kept disappearing, and it was on a "volunteer only" principle. The local council now refused to pay the librarians. Budget cuts. 

Sadness didn't begin to cover my feelings, to see another piece of life twisted around in some strange parody. Air now smells stale, instead of comforting and musty. The carpet had picked up dirt from a thousand people more. It looked all the worse for it. 

The scanners had broken and been replaced, seeming more and more alien against the decrepit library. Even the computers had grime that ran so deep into the keyboards I'm surprised they hadn't jammed. 

I'd done my best on my evenings here to tidy it up as much as I could. To coax some love back into it. Trying to hoover the floor, without much success. Rebacking the children's display with newer books. Books I'm sure wouldn't have been brought in yet without my interference... I had to stop myself from buying new sets of books from charity shops for the library. Even while I wanted to help, I didn't get paid for it. My rent had more control on me than books could. My hand could only forlornly rest on my purse. 

But at least one child didn't mind how horrid the library was. To him, it was a small space of heaven. 

He was my only kid who came on Wednesdays. His mother worked across the street in the cafe and finished at six thirty. While she was a woman with a drawn face and a closed heart, I knew she appreciated having someone help her look after her child. 

I almost found a mother in her. 

***

Today it's Horrid Henry, but I'm hoping I'll be able to guide him to a fantasy series next. At least then I could have a deeper conversation than "What did Henry do this time?". 

Fondly, I look over to the boy swinging his legs as he reads. Two shoes with hastily undone laces swung back and forth like a metronome. 

It calmed me, having company here. It felt as if my purpose was clear for an hour - to observe, to protect, to laugh. To bring a little boy some joy. 

I settled by my desk that I kept near his favourite chair, so that when he giggled, he didn't have to shout to where my desk was to tell me the line. 

It helped me to focus really, to sign out the occasional book on the online form and, on occasion, taking a chance to add to my journal. 

The library wasn't... Busy. Most children had their ipads and Netflix to keep them entertained nowadays. It made me almost nostalgic for the summers a decade ago. When the fountains outside worked, and the library was smothered with children all signing up to the Summer Read-athon. How they fizzed across the room with a book in each hand. Mothers chatting without discretion even though it was a library. Children's groups which ran across the holidays. The tinkle of the local ice cream truck chuntering along outside. Each moment rounding up more stray children with its corny and tinny tune. The smell of crisps and sticky fingers. 

The amount of life this place once had. The big corporations which had stamped out any homely, local businesses which had made the air that much sweeter. Yet now the clinical, conventional coffeehouse glared at us from across the street. 

I still missed the freshly baked patisseries. The welcoming smile of my usual barista. Her smile had been so beautiful. 

It was the clicking of heels muffling against carpet however, which snatched me from my haze of journaling. 

"Miranda," I greeted, closing my laptop and grinning when Lucas leapt off the sofa. 

"They showed us the space landing today! And I made a collage of the planets. It's in my bag." Lucas tilted his head adoringly, "Is Dad coming home soon? Is he still calling tonight?" 

Miranda smiled weakly, as if tired from Lucas' constant energy. To be fair, Lucas never stopped being in motion. I imagine it's hard being the focus of all that buzzing energy. 

"Wonderful, you'll have to show me your collage when we get home. Dad is still hoping to call, but we can't assume he'll get through. You know the connection can be patchy." she brushed his forehead with the back of her hand, and added wearily, "Tie your shoes up. You already tripped this morning for not doing them." 

I laugh, moving from sitting to leaning against the chair. I watched his tongue poke from his mouth as he fiddled with his laces. 

"I think it's the sensation of the tightness that he struggles with." 

Miranda glances upwards with a slight downturn of her mouth. 

"I don't know. He's so hard to buy for. He never wants to wear his shoes. I thought laces would be better since he can then tighten them to his liking." she sighed, a tired lock of hair falling against the curve of her cheek, "But he doesn't like a lot of things, so it's not new. Come on Lucas, Mummy has to go home and have a shower." 

With a last harrumph, Lucas finishes tying his laces and gently lifts his book, a small pout on his lips. 

"I don't want it anymore."

I step in, laughing, before his mother could retort, "Hey, didn't I talk to you about the book series with the Dragon's Son? Do you want to grab it to take home? I'll sign it out for you and upload it to your account." 

Lucas brightened eagerly, "Yeah! I want that one." 

"Well that's very doable. Let's go get it then. Remember where I put it on the reserved shelf?" 

"Yeppers!" 

Lucas placed the book into his bag, a small grin on his lips, "Can I come here next week too?" 

I incline my head, "I'll be here, as usual." 

Miranda stepped forward, the bags under her eyes would have concerned me enough to ask. But the short, hurried answer I've become used to dissuades me. The words "I'm fine." is her most common lie. 

I wish I could tell her that the smell of fish down the road was the best chippy, and that if you ordered haddock instead of cod, the batter was better. That if she wanted, I could walk Lucas home, take him to the park he'd never see. To fill his soul with the love I couldn't bare bestow to anyone else. 

"Thanks for tonight. I -" she bit her lip, "I don't know if you wanted to come for dinner one night this week. I've wanted to thank you for taking care of my son," there was a rare glimpse of a smile, "I want to show my appreciation in person. Lucas would like it too." 

Lucas looks at me, big doe eyes wide, and my heart folds. 

"I would be honoured." my lips move, and I can't take it back. It would be better for me not to know their life. It meant I wouldn't be disappointed with what I saw. But Lucas... Little, loving Lucas... I couldn't bear to leave that unspoken question in his eyes unanswered. 

I'm doomed. 

"Great!" Miranda practically chirped, her ebony hair giving a lifeless bounce, "I'll send you the address, and I was thinking Thursday evening. Pop by from five thirty onwards." 

Dread sinks in me as they walk away, a pair of arms that never released from my heart. 

To be a part of their life for one evening was more than I could have asked for. And more than I deserved. 

***

Afterword:

Okay! I've now written my first part of an ongoing modern AU in @oliversrarebooks 's Bookseller series!! I am so excited to introduce to another character next time, and to get this going! EEE! I am absolutely so inspired by @oliversrarebooks and @whumpsoda' s work. I feel like a small child offering their pasta rocket ship to qualified NASA scientists.

I've been hiding for a long time because of burnout. And seeing this universe grow is so exciting! I do not own any of the concepts in this universe either!

And finally, thank you for reading... I appreciate it!

[mias-back-from-the-dead]

caught up to wwdits season five and oh my GOD

The turn to Everything Is Genuine with Guillermo's story clicking into place is fucking chefs kiss mua mua

(writing under the cut is mostly me spoilerly-gushing rather than any actual deep analysis)

Cuz like. there's the show-long trend of Nandor constantly pushing Guillermo away from vampirism has been treated as joke, framed as a joke the entire time, exacerbated with a wild amount of emphasis on how Nandor is characterized as a bit of a dummy in social interactions. Every time Guillermo gets closer to either a) Nandor and the other housemates or b) Belonging in Vampirism/being taken seriously as a threat he gets knocked back in one vicious way or another.

And so a lot of the energy in the fandom for the last few seasons has been "lol what if this is like that old romance drama trope where one party's actively putting distance and being cruel because it's what they think will be kinder in the long run for the other party, wouldn't that be so juicy? very regency drama! its way too sappy to be canon, Nandor's not playing the long game, they're OBVIOUSLY gonna play it off as a goof forever but let's play in this space :)"

but no

no that's ACTUALLY what's been fucking going on, at least for the last few years or so in-show!!!!! Nandor CAN'T keep pushing and insisting that he doesn't belong in the dynamic of the house anymore, especially in season 4 with all the bonding done co-parenting with Laszlo and weird family night stuff with Nadja. The group can cut off Guillermo mid-conversation all they want (probably out of rote habit) but literally everyone (except maybe colin? if he never gets his child-season memories back that is) would fucking take a stake for the guy. In Nandor's case literally.

Guillermo's gotten too close to them all so Nandor CAN'T keep running excuses for not turning Guillermo (forced diner comedy voice: haha wouldn't it be sooooo funny if you were a vampire? :)) other than the ACTUAL reason, which is that he's considered vampirism to be a curse for some time now, and KNOWS Guillermo would be miserable with it.

and he was right

Too much time elapsed between his late season 3 descent into "brutal vampire-hunter ready to murder Nandor if needs must" and the time of his turning. He gained and lost a boyfriend, he reconnected with his family, was at Nandor's side for an incredibly human journey of desperately trying to seek happiness via marriage.

The shampoo scene is SUCH a good depiction of it, overhearing all that just confirms Nandor's suspicions of what Guillermo needs. Sure, he knows that Guillermo likes the ceremony and pathos of his little made-up induction, but he knows he NEEDS a real choice to make. One that he's been hoping for (please do not bear the same curse as me, I know you would hate killing innocents) and dreading (does it make me a worse monster if I wanted you to revel in the blood in order to stay by my side), but under all his posturing he knows Guillermo's choice as easily as he would his own.

No more dismissiveness, no more pretending to forget serious things about Guillermo to push him away. He remembers the words spoken from Guillermo over a decade ago, the place where they first met, where he grew up and who his family is.

He knows Guillermo's choice.

I'm just. I'm just frothing at the fucking mouth about this because no amount of cutting Guillermo off mid-sentence is going to put that rabbit back in the fucking hat for season 6. There was still a decent bet on Nandor not turning Guillermo for bullshit and/or comedy reasons if their weird season 3 elopement thing went off without a hitch. For him to mayyybe seem he might not care, or not want to turn him due to purely selfish reasons (like when CEOs sabotage secretaries to keep them by his side).

There's NO way they're gonna sell that he doesn't care anymore and I'm SO FUCKING CURIOUS to see how that shakes out now.

[baronessblixen]

You know, I was wondering:

If canon stopped at Je Souhaite and CC wrote the Revival later (but excluded William-Jackson and the mytharc), I wonder how much more... I don't know, plausible? it would be?

The problem with the Revival-- or why I never got into it-- was that so many out-of-character moments had to happen (S9 mostly) in order to set it up; and it never seemed worth my effort to watch. But I have IWTB locked and loaded for later this month; and I began to wonder if the Revival would have made more sense if Mulder had become lost in his obsession/depression after Colonization didn't happen, period, sometime after Je Souhaite; and the two being torn apart because of his tendency to withdraw into himself. I always thought that, even though they'd lost their son canonically, it was a factor that bound he and Scully tighter together; and their will-they-won't-they post S9 never rang true to me. I do factor in the need for space especially if Mulder won't/can't listen (precedent being set in Syzygy and Never Again and One Son etc.); but the reasons given (or not) for each "breakup" weren't... dealt with very well.

And maybe it's just me but some conversations in the Revival would have made more sense? if Mulder and Scully had never had kids and were happy but their happiness was shattered here and there because of Mulder's obsessions and regrets and not because Scully gave it all up but still walked away from him twice. (Plus One I think? was the "what if you get married and have kids" convo, and wouldn't that have been an interesting twist if Jackson wasn't a part of their history?)

ANYWAY. Ramble aside, I'll probably have more thoughts after IWTB... which should be interesting because I'm skipping right over S9 (so that my brain keeps it firmly in the AU category.) And IF that goes well, I miiiiiiiiiiiiight? dip into the Revival episodes that have nothing to do with the mytharc or William? Maybe? (Maybe not. XDD)

Is there a will-they-won't-they situation with them? To me there isn't. It might seem that way because CC didn't come right out and showed them as a couple in IWTB cause he wanted the audience to be surprised or something. But their love and what they feel for each other and that they both wanted to be together (and were) was never in question for me. And there is a lot of what you say in IWTB. Mulder and his obsessions and how that might drive a wedge between him and Scully.

As for the breakup in the revival, it just wasn't done well if you ask me. Like it's mentioned and then next episode, their dynamic is as it always was and you completely forget about it for the most part. There are a few mentions and in fact, there are a few great things in the revival.

The Plus One conversation - to me - was so misplaced in that episode. They were so beyond that point. It's a conversation they should have had in IWTB maybe. They were in their 50s (!) and talk about what "what if you meet someone and have a family". Sorry but that doesn't work for me.

The whole thing was clunky and just a way for CC to let Mulder and Scully have sex. Even without William/Jackson, that conversation happened too late for me. Cause it's never about what COULD have happened but what can still happen. And they're just too old for me for that at that point.

I think you can easily watch IWTB without having seen season 9. The only episodes you really need knowledge of to watch it are The Truth and maybe William.

I say give the revival a chance. You can always put it into AU category if you hate it :D

[wonderland-productions-blog]

Knight in Dulled Armor: Ch. 9

Chapter 9: Asterian Emergency

Tw: Written Blood/ Mild Gore

Word Count: ~6,500

The tavern today is packed; with lots of people traveling in advance for the upcoming summer events in the surrounding cities. Many see it as an inexpensive alternative to larger residencies in the cities, while some prefer staying at a bar over monasteries or abbeys while traveling. 

I've been running food and drinks all day as well as managing the hygienic aspects of my job. With so much to do, I could certainly use more help but Hidorah could only do so much between cooking orders. I still haven't talked to him about Braiewood, and he seems to be avoiding me because of such.

Marietta was supposed to be here an hour ago, and she doesn't seem like the type to sleep in. Things have been difficult without her but I feel as though I've been waiting long enough. I go to talk to Kenrik who'd been helping manage tasks as well. "Kenrik, is there any way we can know if Marietta is coming in today?" I ask

"Well, she usually walks here with Hidorah. If she were sick he'd know, but he says she wasn't at home this morning. Might just have to send a search party." Kenrik explains. He lets out a whistle, calling for Kyzu. I see the dog jump out from Kenrik's room in the basement, settling beside him. "Do we have anything that has her scent? Bet Kyzu could find her real quick." he pauses, and I use the time to tell him that I have one of her uniforms. 

"Though, I'll want someone to go with, can't have Kyzu gettin' lost again." he continues.

There's a moment of silence while Kenrik decides on a plan. He strokes the stubble on his face and clears his throat, "Hidorah!". 

"Huh?" He asks, leaning on the kitchen door frame. 

"Would you two figure out who's going to stay here and who's going to find Marietta?" Kenrik asked us.

"As much as I'd love to go get Marietta myself, I'm not too inclined to do so with something that took a chunk out of me at one point," Hidorah says, glancing down at Kyzu. 

"I need to hold down the tavern at least somewhat, it’s a lot of work for anyone, let alone Kenrik. I wouldn't want to force my workload on him. We could stop taking food orders and just bartend, right?" I reason with them. Honestly, I didn't feel comfortable taking Kyzu alone and only held a small desire to keep to the tavern. 

At this point I see Kenrik lose interest and resort back to tending the bar. Despite the new bit of space between us, Hidorah decides to inch closer to me still.

"That's true, but I think Marietta would appreciate you going to find her more than she would appreciate me doing so," Hidorah says, putting his arm around my shoulder. He punctuates this with a squeeze to attempt to sway me.

"Why? Would she not appreciate a criminal stopping her and bringing her into work?" I spout, quickly shoving a hand over my mouth. I shake him off of me, crossing my arms, yet still keeping my chest compressed and posture low. I ease out a breath, exhausted at the idea of having this conversation now.

"Okay, I see what this is about. I get that it was super sketchy of me to run after seeing you with my wanted poster," Hidorah says, reaching his hands out toward me.

"Glad we both acknowledge your sketchy and borderline incriminating behavior. What do I owe you to admit that?" I dig further. 

"Listen, it is a long story but I assure you that if it will ease your mind I'll tell you. Tonight. Let's please focus on getting through this shift without Marietta right now. I am not in the mood to get reprimanded from Kenrik." Hidorah pleads though I say nothing. "Okay, what if I get Marietta? I can tell you don't want to be the one to go, and that's okay." He says.

I shrug, wasting no time fetching her uniform and tossing it to him. He leaves with Kyzu, giving me a wave as a send-off. I doubt it would take much time at all, Marietta most likely was just late after some early morning errands. Hidorah will probably run into her already on her way to work. 

I keep up with drinks and cleaning at tables and booths while Kenrik runs the crowded bar. While they were gone we'd told customers notice of no chef being on duty at the moment, and most didn't have an issue with waiting until they returned. That is, except for one man truly set on having lunch here. Luckily Kenrik recognized him when I explained his concerns. He was a regular and meant it when he told us he had no other means of eating based on where he was staying and his work schedule.

Kenrik humored the man he considered to be a good friend and took an exception to the no-order rule. While I appreciated witnessing this kind act, it did mean that I had to man the bar as well as my usual area. For a short time, I'd been manning an entire tavern by myself with the sense of accomplishment peaking above the large amount of effort it took to do so.

Running back and forth between sections of the tavern was stressful, doing my best to memorize drink orders, run them out, take empty glasses, and clean tables. Though there were other tasks I only needed to do once or twice in the growing timeframe such as sweeping and washing empty glasses. 

Kenrik finally arrived from within the kitchen, setting the food down at the counter. I wipe my brow with my uniform collar, push on, and head back to my booths. I decide to take a small break to dispose of trash and maybe get a bit of wind to cool me down. After dumping the trash into the larger container behind the tavern I head back onto the patio. I lean over a wooden beam, letting out a sigh as pressure releases from my sternum. 

My quiet rest only lasted a moment before sound erupted from the desert. I hastily turn my neck, seeing a large black smudge in my vision like an ink thumbprint smeared at the corner of a page. I fling my arm up to an erratic wave, seeing several silhouettes on the horizon, and excited to know my remaining day was about to get easier.  

 I couldn't be more wrong. The more seconds passed the closer they were bounding toward me, unleashing a tremendous foreboding feeling settling within my gut. Something is wrong, though I won't know fully until they arrive. I wait with bated breath until they reach the porch.

A panicked flurry whips around us, shouting from Hidorah and Marietta blending together into a cacophony of meaningless noise. "What is going on?!" I shout, both of them quickly looking at me while on either side of Kyzu. Marietta grabs Kyzu's neck, pulling her over to turn her side toward me.

A hefty shining mass sat on the large dog’s back. Two metal gloves enveloped the beast’s neck, desperately clinging to it despite heavy shaking emanating from them. Val sat hunched over the back of the beast, seemingly weak and fatigued. A rickety string of breaths echoed from his helm. His armor seemed glossier than usual, though it seemed strange to have such old damaged armor waxed.

That was when I saw it, the gloss slowly running down the armor. A drop tapered off, dripping onto the dry sand beneath. Red. I felt my heart sink, trying to muster up something before panic consumed me entirely. "Get him inside!" I yell, pulling on Kyzu to make his way through the doors. 

"Elaine, do you care if we put him in your room? I need to treat him." Marietta says with a panic in her eyes. I nod my head, following close behind. 

"On the bed, quick," I say, making an attempt to steady the situation. Everyone does their best to support his weight before setting him on the bed with a small thud. "Aghh. Please..." Val gasps. 

"I'm sorry! What-" I try to say, but Marietta cuts me off.

"We need to get his armor off. I need to see the wound, I've narrowed it down to his torso." She explains. 

"Your torso?" I ask Val, a worried expression plaguing my face. 

He does nothing but give me a weak nod and further grip my bedsheets. 

"We'll need to sit you up to get your chest plate off, won't we?" I ask, putting my hand behind his head to support it.

I am met with another weak nod. 

"Hidorah, sit him up, will you?" Marrietta asks flatly, the small jumps in her voice showing much more than what her calm tone indicates. 

He does so immediately, doing nothing to warn or brace Val for what is happening. My eyelids lock shut for a moment at the thunderous, grunt-like sound that followed. I spare no time to squeeze behind him and begin to unfasten his chest plate. I attempt to pull it off on one side with the shoulder plates now clanking against the gauntlets. I pull one off, revealing scuffed and stained dark leather gloves. I hastily make my way to the other side and do the same.

They clatter to the wood floor and I couldn't care less. I'm fairly sure Marrietta didn't squander this time and was rounding up her medical supplies. Hidorah on the other hand seems to be waiting for instructions. "Tell Kenrik what is happening, I'm sure he'll want to know," I tell him, making sure to look him in the eyes as I say it.

I finally am able to slide off the chest plate, trying not to nudge him so much so that it would evoke pain or discomfort. I take the armor to the corner so that it won't become a tripping hazard since we'll need to move often. I come back, finally noticing the gray long-sleeve tunic he wore. It stretched tight across his large chest, a part of it clearly wet and dark around his left side. It clung to his torso, the warm blood slowly seeping through more and more. My shaky hands scaled both sides of his shirt until finally slipping under the lip. I position myself more evenly in front of him, having to nestle against him between his spread legs. 

I never accounted for him being such a large man, seeing how small I look compared to his colossal frame. Even with him sitting down I was still only around eye level with him now.  His shirt fabric scrunches as I lift it up to reveal the wound. Not wanting him to need to lift his arms in his condition, I stretch the base of his shirt behind his helm at the nape of his neck. I’m careful not to tear the fabric on the horns that protruded from his helm. This provided us with enough area to work as well as kept his arms in place and covered. I am faced with the body I'd seen in the bathhouse days prior. A scarred, evergreen complexioned skin on a built frame yet again met me in poor conditions.

I start to stutter out an apology upon seeing him stare at me through the slit in his helm, "I'm, I'm sorry, I feel awful about vi-violating your privacy, even if it's an emerge-" He cuts me off, grabbing my hand. His leather gloves were obviously softer than his gauntlets, so I’m not sure why I now feel so surprised by his warm touch. 

"You're very quick. And gentle. Thank you." He says through gritted teeth, struggling to maintain such a soft-spoken tone.

Without any notice, Marietta grabs my wrist and guides me to the side to make room. She pushes him back, Val now lying on my bed propped on a couple of pillows. A gasp escapes him, though his wound is much more visible now. I see her search the wound, most likely examining for an exit wound, debris, and possible cause. 

Her brow furrows, "I need space to work, this wound is deep, and penetrates further into the abdomen, possibly into an organ." I take her advice and leave the room, my hands shaking and suddenly cold. 

I do my best to start sweeping again as if I wasn't occupied with more dire matters moments ago. A hand on my shoulder startles me, "Elaine, look around. I closed the tavern. Those who are still drinking can finish up and leave, the only ones who need to be here are staff and people who rented a room." Kenrik explained. "We'll open back up once things are handled, alright?" he assures me, and I nod. 

I take a seat next to Hidorah at the bar, settling in to wait. He looks just as anxious, his fingers running through his hair as his other hand supports his head. He nudges his elbow on the countertop, hunching lower to the bar. "Are you that nervous?" I ask. 

"About Val? A bit, but I have a lot on my mind right now." Hidorah says, turning his head to face me. His hand pressed against his cheek, squishing his face and causing one eye to squint. I purse my lips, getting ready to speak but holding off. My mouth shuts, not wanting to press further.

“Do you think there’s any chance you could heal him?” I grimly ask, already knowing the answer.

“I’ve been trying to heal everything from bruises and burns to cuts on me and my friends. Nothing is working. I think my body produced just enough magic to heal me in a panic.” he sadly explains.

"I think we'll have a bit of time while Marietta is... busy, with Val, so to speak. Trying to stabilize him. So, why not break the tension? It’s not like it’s not a good time for it, better to pile it on and get it over with. That way we'll at least be able to face each other at work after this." Hidorah tells me. He takes his head out of his hand and sits up at the counter. 

"Alright, well. Get to explaining then, I'm sure it’s a very long and very reasonable story as to why your face was plastered all over old wanted posters in Braiewood. Somewhere you should not be if you were a fugitive of sorts, and then proceeded to run when you saw that I had one of said wanted posters." I say to him.

"Okay, well. Luckily you're right. As usual, Elaine. You see, I actually have like, the best reasoning there is. But first..." He paused, looking at me with a smile and placing a hand on my back, "Could you pour me a drink?" 

I scoff, getting up regardless. I uncork a small, blue bottle of wine, not wanting anything that could debilitate him in small amounts. To my surprise, it pours a light blue into the tall thin glass I've set out. It was reminiscent of some of the berries Hidorah had served me during the apology breakfast he’d made me. 

He takes a sip, "Ahh,". 

"Hidorah," I say, eager with him to get on with the story. 

"I know, I know. Alright. Let's start from the beginning I suppose. Of my criminal record, I mean," Hidorah says, rubbing the base of his neck over his shoulder. I let him continue, giving him a nod. 

"I had made a living exporting Elven goods into very profitable areas, elven culture, and tourist shops in large, wealthy cities. My cut was enough for me to live very comfortably, but I was a bit reckless with money. I was barely out of my teenage years and at the time this was completely legal. The issue was that, eventually, many elven cities closed their doors, with the nation of Braiewood at the front lines of this embargo." He says coldly.

"What would cause a large elven empire to just... stop the exporting of their goods? Close their border like that. Braiewood used to hold a booming economy just a few years ago, didn't it? It was very well respected, was it not?" I ask, wondering if the book I'd gotten would touch on the subject. 

"Oh, I don't know. Say, the disappearance of an important Aramooran political figure with evidence tracing back to elven goods?" He says, creating a tension so thick in the air you could cut it with a knife.

"Hidorah, did you kidnap someone?!" I say, whispering with panic in my voice. 

"What? No! Do you remember when I mentioned Marietta's family history?" 

"Yeah, that she was a pri-" I stop. That she was a princess. Hidorah chuckled as he saw the pieces click together in my mind. Hidorah had sold products to Aramoor, Marietta's home kingdom. This product was left as "evidence" in her home when she had gone missing, not because she was kidnapped, but because Marietta had become increasingly restless in her place with inherited fame and fortune. 

She emancipated herself and became a baroness through her own work, as she'd mentioned to us before. Because of her disappearance, the blame was placed on someone of elven origin. With Marietta still working here and this embargo still in place, the already fragile state between the two nations had divided further. 

"So, were you alone tried for her disappearance as the exporter of the found evidence?" I ask.

"No, my name was thrown around but there wasn't substantial evidence of my presence, and for good reason. I had only met her a few times, and it was in her city and we kept our interactions short and sweet, despite my fascination with her. I was actually tried for the illegal exportation of elven goods and they stacked some issue regarding immigration status on there too." Hidorah said, now refusing to make eye contact.

"So you continued exporting despite the trade restriction? Makes sense if it was your only income. Wait, hold on, fascination?" I ask.

"Well, as I mentioned before, they also got me for my immigration status. While I continued selling product, even with the law change, I often stayed outside of Braiewood. I figured since I was out so much I'd stop paying my rent and would find a place back in Braiewood once I finished my large inventory. I'd sell what I had, then be done with it and find a different job. Since I no longer had a residency in Braiewood and had cut my lease just before the embargo, by new elven laws, I was no longer allowed in my own city. Still, since I was for some reason claimed as the owner of a legal business, I was allowed within Elven territory on business terms, now only supposed to sell within the area." He pauses, taking a moment to breathe. 

"As for the fascination aspect, I started staying at the tavern most nights. Not because it was cheap or in a good location, I mean, look at this place. It was because while I was still selling in Amoora shortly after the embargo, I asked Marietta where she was staying to keep a roof over her head. After all, I'd picked up on who she was at this point. No one without enough coin to fill a pool would stop every other day to buy expensive exported goods. She said she was working and living here for the time being. I sold everything as fast as I could. The tavern seemed like the perfect place to stay if I couldn't be in Braiewood."

"It must have been strange for her to reside in a nation she no longer meant anything to for so long." I pin the thought for later, "So, are you allowed in Braiewood or not?" I ask, drawing attention back to the topic.

"I'm pretty sure I'm just not allowed long-term residency, but their laws are confusing." He sighs.

"It sounds like it, I actually just got a book that goes over things like this. We could take a further look to see if there are any loopholes to get you back there if you want. It's just in my bag... that is in my room." I say, fading into nothing toward the end. Never mind, I suppose. 

"Well, honestly, that is a pretty good reason to be wanted but still in the city. But... why did you run when you saw me?" I ask with still one question lingering in the air. 

"Oh, yeah, I'll admit I panicked on that one. Last I saw you, you were upset at me because I kind of chucked something at your head. It seemed like you might have followed me to Braiewood, and the wanted poster in your hand as you sat in the window solidified that fear. I ran, thinking were stalking me. But when I came back later I heard from Kenrik you left on your own and had no way of knowing where I was going." Hidorah confesses.

"Huh, an interesting coincidence with both of us heading to Braiewood and me finding an old wanted poster on the ground. Well, I'm really glad that's cleared up, I wasn't looking forward to working with a convict." I scoffed. 

He nods, the silence settling in once more between us. Even with our own discourse addressed, thoughts of Val's condition slipped into my mind. We'd been talking for a while, but still no sign from Marietta that it was okay to answer. There wasn't much to do but wait, I feel guilty trying to entertain myself in an attempt to ease my mind of worry. Hidorah offers me a drink, and I debate having one to steady my nerves. "It'll do you some good, loosen up. Marietta was able to heal that massive wound that Kyzu calls a nibble on me and Val's wound is nothing compared to what mine was. Val is a big, tough guy. He gets wounds like this fairly often in his line of work." He tells me, already pouring a drink. 

"So all we really can do is wait, isn't it? I mean, Marietta will treat him until he either stabilizes or..."  I say, trailing off. 

The waiting was some of the worst I'd ever had to go through. The tension, the nerves, the thoughts of Marietta treating Val. I shake the last from my mind, refusing to admit that this bothered me. A selfish, nonsensical thought. She was much more qualified than I was to treat him, I barely had any reason to be worried. We hardly know one another, Marietta knows him much better than I do on every account. I set my head on the counter, feeling a weight heavy on my shoulders. My eyelids flutter open and shut, eventually succumbing to the exhausting feeling.

I wake up my name being yelled across the tavern, having to unbury my head cradled in my arms on the counter. Marrietta stood in my open doorframe in bloodied clothes. "I don't think I'll be able to get him stabilized." She says in a monotone expression. 

"What are you doing in here? Take all the time you need, I-" I try to continue, but she cuts me off. "Val says he wants to speak to you. He's been pressing it. Apparently, I need to leave the room for a moment. I examined the wound and on every account, it looks fatal, it's amazing that he wasn't dead when I found him on my way to the store this morning. Go." She says, maintaining the composure in her voice but not her face. She discreetly wipes a forming tear from the corner of her eye.

I step into my room, closing the door behind me. I approach him from the edge of my bed, standing over his weak, now pale body. "Elaine, I was near Asterian territory when this happened. A guard saw me and questioned my reasonings for being there.” He tells me before falling silent. Val sucks in raspy breath, his helm making it sound all the more hollow. 

“I told him I was passing through the area when I was then asked about you. I said nothing, but he claimed your disappearance could be linked to me. After I was uncooperative in being detained I was attacked, and my horse fled." Val says.

"Val, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen. I have no idea how-" He cuts me off, his helm turning toward me after saying this. 

"You have no idea how they've connected us? You have no contact with your family?" He asks.

"No, the only way they'd know is if someone had recognized me with you in the area and told them directly," I say, trying to assure him.

"Elaine, even if I survive this, no one here is safe. I was attacked with no evidence toward me. If they find the tavern they'll burn it to the ground. We need to take preventative measures. I wouldn't want to force your hand back into a dangerous family, but know the tavern comes first." He cuts through.

"No, I understand. There was no way for me to emancipate myself under Asterian law, it was selfish to assume I'd be able to start new with no effort to find me and I'm so sorry for dragging you into this. I wouldn't even be alive without you, and you've been so kind to me throughout my time here..." My voice breaks apart, and I feel tears rolling down my cheeks. I desperately wipe them away, trying to pull myself together.

"No, don't cr-" Val jumps into the conversation, sitting up in my bed. He lets out a grunt before continuing. "Don't cry." a thinly gloved hand wrapped itself around both of mine gently. I feel him attempt to squeeze, with nothing more than a muted grasp shining through. He collapses back to lying down. My heart aches to see him so weak. 

"I don't want this to happen, but I don't think I have a choice, Elaine," he says, glancing down at his torso. He stops for a moment, his breath so soft I can no longer tell if it’s there. I can't see his eyes to determine if he's fighting sleep, sending me into a light panic. I wait a moment, with him giving no indication if he is asleep. Then another, still nothing. Anxiety builds when I still can't monitor his breathing, I finally decide to take a step.

I put my ear against his chest, bracing one hand on his uninjured waist side and the other on his chest. I shift myself a bit with bated breath until I finally hear the softest, fastest, "Thump, thump, thump." He was alive, but his accelerated heart rate most likely meant he was moments before death. I curl his shirt in my fingers, trying to hold back any tears I could. 

"What are you-" he says, cutting himself off with a muffled cough, his voice just above me. I go to jump back but feel a hand clutching my waist. 

Increasingly shallow breaths. He was close to death, possibly mere moments away. My shaky hands grip his clothes. I swipe my face across his shirt, trying to wipe away stinging tears while in his grasp. I begin to sob, not trying to unpack or judge these feelings, and instead take them as they are with such little time left. I know I like him. And he likes me. He risked his life to pry my body from the desert so I, someone he didn't know, could live. He's sweet, and kind, and I'll never get to know more about him or look forward to an unexpected visit from him at the tavern while working again. 

Something strange begins to happen as I sit with these feelings. A light flicks its way around the room, growing, shifting, spreading in the air. A bright, fiery, familiar luminance dancing around us. I feel a pain in my side, burning deep within my flesh, I clutch it, pulling away from Val and slipping to the floor. It burrows its way further, finally nestling halfway through my body. The pain slowly fades to a throbbing ache, far more tolerable than the stabbing pain prior. 

"Elaine!" Val shoots up from my bed, attempting to pull me from the floor. I look up, seeing that some much-needed color has returned to his previously pale complexion. The way his arm gripped my shoulder showed a return of some strength. I stumble upwards, bracing my arm on Val's knee to get up. The jolt upwards shook his hair from his helm, thick black locks now flowing down his shoulders. I glance at his waist, his deep, bleeding wound has become a gnarly, scarred-over scab, but the bleeding has stopped. 

"I don't- I don't understand," I tell him. 

"Well, it seems to me that you’re magical, Elaine." Val says, pausing for a moment for breath, "I owe you my life."

"It's alright, I already owed you mine." I try to force a chuckle.

He looks at me in silence for a moment, then it clicks that he must have been making a confused expression beneath his helm. 

"When we first met, in the desert; you saved me from the Feijugh," I explain.

“I suppose I did. I owe you my life, and you owe me yours.” He laughs.

“That’s right, what do you suppose we call us? Even?” I respond.

“If we both owe each other our lives…I’d call us married.” He says in a tone I couldn’t tell was joking.

“Is that what you’d figure? I suppose it makes sense,” I laugh, trying to gauge if he’ll return the demeanor. 

“It would take care of your family issue, too.” He says, gesturing to me and going to take a drink from the bottle I still had in my bag. 

“How so?” I ask, more genuine than joking now.

“Asterian laws don’t allow royalty to wed with commoners or foreign citizens, and if they were to, they’d be ex-communicated from their family. It's happened enough in your line, don’t rule it out.” He says.

“Hmm,” is all I can muster for a moment until he adds on.

“You’re classified as missing right now, not eloped. There is not one article saying you ran away to elope, however, there are many stating missing. If you were found by your family married to… someone like me, then you’d be quietly cut from your family, so as not to draw attention to the masses with a taboo, alluring story. No mess, no problem, just a quiet, mutual understanding between family and your new freedom.” He says.

I have no idea how to respond to this, I’m overwhelmed by feelings, to say the least.

“You must forgive me, I’ve… lost a lot of blood. I understand if I’ve been incoherent.” He spits out, quickly getting up to leave. He hides a grunt, muffling the sound of pain shooting through him.

“You’ve got your armor here, and you still seem hurt. It's a nasty scab, you should still be monitored to make sure it's healing properly. Also, your shirt is still partially off.” I say.

“Yes, right. I think I'll need to strip down to clothes. I can’t stand the weight of my armor right now.” he says, sitting on the bed again. He starts to unfasten his greaves. He decides to keep his helm and boots on, since I doubt he’d had any other shoes on beneath other than footwraps. He waits for a moment, and I decide to fetch Marietta to examine the now scabbed-over wound.

I open the door to see her already waiting with a poor attempt to hide a disgruntled look on her face. She flashes a small smile, not being able to muster it for long as she approaches Val. She pushes down on his collarbone, guiding him to lie on the bed. She brushes her fingers over the rugged patch of skin, and I hear Val’s breath hitch. 

“Did you… cauterize this?” She asks straight-faced as if already knowing the answer.

“No, to be honest, I’m not sure exactly what happened. How does it look?” I ask, unable to form a proper response. It seems the shock of the situation was still settling in.

“It looks as if it’s been healing for about a while now…” She pauses, her eyes locked on his abdomen, “As if we were able to stabilize him. What exactly happened here?” 

I struggle for words, Val sees this and chimes in, giving his account of the story.

“Elaine, why did you shout and fall to the floor?” Her tone was so blunt and cold that it felt as though I’d done something wrong by saving his life. 

“There was a quick, sharp pain in my side, but then it faded to a dull throb moments later,” I tell her.

“How does it feel now?” She asks.

“It’s difficult to describe, it's more of a warm constriction now. Like if you were to put a hot compress on my body. The warmth runs deep, halfway through me, I’d say.” I manage. 

I see Val put his head down when I say this, making me wonder what occupies his thoughts. Marietta nods, turning toward me.

“Elaine, do you mind showing me your waist?” she asks.

“Where would I change? Val is in here and I can’t go anywhere else…” I sheepishly point out. 

“We could try the bathhouse, but it’s still open, so there’s no guarantee of complete privacy either way. Val? Do you think you’ll be able to leave the room for a moment?” She asks, obviously skeptical and only humoring me. 

He pulls his shirt down over his chest, further adjusting his clothes before getting up. He braces himself this time when getting up, clearly trying to be careful. He takes a few steps before stumbling to the floor in front of the doorway. 

Marietta and I each jolt to aid him, but he interjects by jutting his palm out toward us. 

“I’ll just…look away then?” He says, embarrassed. He manages to get back up onto the bed without much assistance. 

“Um… How do I know your eyes are closed? It's difficult to guarantee without being able to see your face, you know.” I say with an awkward chuckle. 

“Well,” He says, grasping for his helm. My breath hitches, waiting in anticipation, even Marietta can’t take her eyes off of him. 

He takes his helm in his hands, twisting it around until we can see the solid back of his helm without removing it. 

“Can you breathe like that?” I say without thinking. He responds by putting his thumb up in my general direction. 

It clicks just then that Val… is a bit of an idiot. Or at the very least holds an obscure sense of humor. My mind flashes back to watching him sweep the glass pile in my room for minutes on end in awkward silence. No, he’s an idiot. Despite this, I still feel a warm glow radiating within me whenever I even see him. Why was this? 

My attention breaks back to Marietta when she begins lifting the skirt of my tavern uniform. I attempt to shove away the feeling of embarrassment, knowing that it was for good reason. Finally, she hoists it up past my waist, giving a small gasp. 

“What?”

“Look for yourself,” Marietta says, pulling fabric to the side to reveal a large, bright scar on my waist. It was the same color as the light that permeated the room when I was alone with Val.

“This is unlike any healing magic I’ve ever seen, even in elven areas. I don’t know what to deduce from this.” She looks mortified as she speaks.

“I’ll need to discuss this with my family. If I go back then I- then we won’t have to worry about another attack like this either. I had no idea I was capable of magic, on every account I shouldn’t be.” I say, racking my brain with possible explanations. 

“But what abou-” Val says, stopping when Marietta shoots him a glance. 

“But what about what, Val?” She says, stepping closer to him. “Nothing, I didn’t say anything.” He says. She leans in close, holding his helm at either side. She turns his helm around, attempting to make eye contact through the dark eye slit in his helmet. He continues his silence.

“Well, if you’re sure you didn’t say anything,” she says. She lingers in the doorway before leaving, “Val will have to rest here until he’s able to at least support his own weight. I hope you two don’t have an issue with that. Could be hours, days, even weeks.” She says dryly. 

“Anyway, I’ll tell Kenrik that it isn’t an emergency anymore and that he can feel free to open the tavern up again. You’ll be able to work, Elaine?” She asks. I simply nod, staying quiet and reserved after her strange demeanor. I dare not say anything about the headache I can already feel forming. 

I go to leave my room when Val stops me. I am once again reminded how his unarmored hand felt so much different; softer, warmer. I pull my attention to him. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean what I said. I don’t know why I did, and I’d never want to make you uncomfortable. I assure you that I was just thinking of ways to help.” He says quickly, trying to shove the topic off. 

“I understand,” I say, holding onto his hand still over mine. I run my thumb over his thinly gloved knuckles. “You were bleeding out, I can’t expect you to think too clearly. I think it's sweet that you were still trying to aid me in such a weak condition. If you’re feeling well soon, I think I might need an escort into Asteria, family issues to discuss and all.” 

He nods, letting his hand slip from mine. As I sneak out the door I look at him, “You know, you should really try to be more selfish sometimes.” I chuckle. His kindness is what has gotten him into such a troubled situation, I think preserving himself would do him better. 

[palant1r]

Between light and mikami, who would u say is worse

ooo interesting question! "worst" is a metric with such a wide variety of interpretations, so i'm gonna put forward a few definitions...

Least fun to hang out with at a party: Mikami, no doubt. He's the most boring person alive. Light is a charismatic person who's very good at acting personable and feigning interest in others, so I feel like he'd be a pretty fun acquaintance to have, even if he never lets anyone beneath the surface

Least fun to actually be close friends with, at least for me: Light. It would be like being friends with an incredibly sophisticated chatbot — all the right responses, but you can't get a peek at what actually makes him tick without a 400 IQ and 3 separate terminal degrees, plus years of hannibal-level psychoanalysis. But I could be friends with Mikami. I'm actually a bit of a law nerd — the kind of person who got tickets to a conference about public document requests for fun — so while we wouldn't be able to make small talk, I feel like once we got to know each other we could have some autistic ass conversations about court precedent. Also I could use a gym buddy.

Most net negative impact on the world: I mean, Light, obviously

Most pleasure taken in atrocities: Light. Mikami doesn't actually seem to take much personal pleasure in killing beyond his worship of Kira. Light, meanwhile, despite his self-justification of just wanting to make a good world, looooves to vindictively gloat over victims, even those that aren't those he thinks of as "criminals." See: L, Raye Penber, Near

Least coherent moral code: Mikami. His moral code is just like. Some religion he duct taped together out of a bunch of coincidences and terminal cop brain, plus a heavy dose of inexplicable cultural christianity despite not being culturally christian. Which makes it all the more baffling that he's apparently able to hold coherent conversations about politics. Light's own situation may be a middle schooler's first introduction to deontology and consequentalism, but at least it's something

Most aggravating moral code: Light. Man, I fucking hate the way this guy thinks about the world, because it's eerily similar to shit I see IRL. It's the idea of a moral code that exists fully to justify oneself as Good, cruelty justified through hatred of a so-called "evil," assuming that bad people are an ontological class that can be eliminated with no consequences and society will improve as a result. There are people who deadass believe this shit. I've compared Light tongue-in-cheek to Republicans in a fic before, but honestly I see it in leftist spaces all the time — just replace "criminals" with "billionaires." Hating the "bad people" and wanting them gone is such a convenient way for people to deny systemic injustice and their own role in it. And of course, as long as one defines oneself as "good," one gives themself free rein to eliminate opposition with righteous vindication. It's a mindset that's not unique to Light Yagami, he's just unique in the power he wields to enact it. It's the reason that, while as a Light Yagami Enjoyer I would never judge someone for loving Light Yagami, I tend to side-eye the side of the fandom that unironically argues Kira was right. I need to cut myself off before I go on my full anti-Kira rant...

Worst in bed: I'm not entirely confident Mikami knows what sex is.

Worst at being Kira: Light, by default — it was his own damn fault they lost, though he tried to blame Mikami. Hell, if he hadn't insisted on gloating in the warehouse, he might even have talked his way out of that situation. After all, it made sense for him to be the owner — someone in the task force had to be, and I'm pretty sure it's actually a plot hole that Mikami could see Aizawa's name. It wouldn't have convinced the SPK and Aizawa, but it would have given Ide and Mogi hesitation and Matsuda would certainly have been convinced. "But Mikami should have checked the notebook again before coming to the warehouse and it's stupid that he didn't—" HE WAS BEING CONTROLLED OK I 100% THINK MATSUDA IS RIGHT ABOUT THIS because otherwise both near and mikami's characters are assassinated in the final chapter more brutally than JFK and i do have a bit of respect for O&O as writers lmao. Mikami played his part perfectly. If he'd been the one to find the first notebook, I think he would have lasted longer than Light, simply because he wouldn't decide to do all the galaxy brain plays to get close to L.

[gai-is-love-kakagai-is-life]

Alright, so imma just spill the beans on the ANBU Gai plot because i cannot contain how horrified I am at the monster I created. I made this blog to talk about it because I know I have difficulties actually writing... So I WILL talk about it!

(EDIT: I just... caved and made this post because I got so excited about my breakthrough. I dont know whether or not i should delete it or drop the whole thing but, it was exciting)

Literally, it started with wanting more angsty Gai, then ANBU Gai and Kakashi being the one to reach put to Gai and they work things out. So... how... and why... did it turn from Gai joining ANBU for Kakashi to getting involved in getting caught between Hiruzen and Danzo's nonsense which involes DESTABILIZING A WHOLE ASS COUNTRY??

I have mentioned the Land of Woods before and... yeah I was cooking it's destabilization and Gai's role in it because I placed so much importance on giving Gai an external conflict outside of his struggles in ANBU and Kakashi. I just HAD to!

Over the course of weeks I researched Naruto's history, the characters, the wars, the countries, the divisions, the magic system and even bought the light novels to understand everyone and everything better... well, I was very selective about who but that's neither here or there... Bottom line is I did the most in trying to create a scenario that would make sense for ANBU Gai that would affect and challenge him. Knowing that a lot of ANBU are either in the village spying on people, protecting the Hokage or infiltrating other countries for assassinations I was like, "That's an idea! Maybe he'll patrol around the village borders with his team and go capture/assassinate targets when not in the village!" It was at this point I practically forgot about Kakashi and Gai's inner struggles to focus on what the fuck kind of missions he would do and what conflict would he be involved in.

Losts of research later I realize that I have a practically blank slate for Gai to play in that he has ties to... The Land of Woods. The victims of the infamous scene where Gai sees the darkness in Kakashi that he lacked himself. It was perfect. It had questions that needed to be answered, like what is it's role in Naruto? Why were they beefing with the Land of Fire/Konoha? What happened to them and why? The answers are: Not much, no idea, and it's essentially lawless land now. There is no leadership and apparently it was a haven for criminals (possibly including Obito and Sasuke at some point). Something happened to it between the period of Kakashi and Itachi slaughtering the Prañja Group (the victims), and Shippuden times and that blank space was mine to color in.

What I did was come up with a reason why it collapsed into the state it did by the time of Shippuden and how Gai was involved. It took a week or so of trying to figure out how destabilizing another country even works (doesnt mean i researched hard. I looked up the methods and imagined from there), but I had come up with Gai and his team assassinating people. But why? And would he stand for it? I wasnt trying to break Gai, just... test how bendy he'll let his morals get in ANBU--

(I posted this early because my phone fell on my face and posted it... )

I wasnt trying to break Gai and I know that as loyal as he is to Konoha and moreso to the people he loves, he wouldn't do something so... devastating. So then I got ROOT involved and now Gai's team is stumbling upon ROOT doing the dastardly deeds of dismantling a dying government. It took until last night for the how to solidify.

... Imma just post pictures of this next part. It came in the middle of me trying to go back and flesh out the Kakagai so I didnt lose it again, but the Land of Woods conflict still got me by the throat.

If you read this far... thank you. If you hate this? Completely understandable. I might delete this post but i had to get this out. I hope that it was at least interesting

[echantedtoon]

Love Doesn't Do Encores Ch22 Spikemuth Spiral P2

(Sorry for taking so long on this. Also VERY important question for my audience. If you have any ships or interactions between the characters within the story you'd like feel free to let me know. The songs used are more lyrics from The Pheonix by Fall Out Boys and Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's but I switched a bit of the lyrics of Hey There Delilah to match the pokemon narrative and Piers's accent a bit. Links to both songs are below. Yes. Piers can play a guitar and no one can convince me otherwise. Also f/hs stands for 'Favorite Hair Style just to be clear.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQlPzrX8u0A

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JqY-6q-RNA

I got the info on speaker repairs on this video here cuz I have no idea how to really fix one. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRfOgLx8A0s

WARNING: If you do get any shoulders out of socket please seek proper help and not what's just described in the story. PLEASE.)

With Gloria's battle won and the thunder now sounding much closer than before you all went back and sought shelter in the thankfully free hotel rooms you were all provided by courtesy of Piers's generosity of course. But you were tired after all you had been through the day and traveling for so long. Plus your shoulder REALLY hurt now from being pushed against so much behind the safety mesh with all the others. So you were REALLY looking forward to just resting and just having Hop's battle to worry about afterwards. If he could beat Piers tomorrow as soon as possible the sooner you all can get to a doctor and get your shoulder looked at. Not only did it hurt it felt strangely......lose for some reason. Although you were absolutely SURE it wasn't broken. The first small sprinkles of rain had started falling from the sky by the time you all reached the hotel two buildings down from the stadium and walked right into it. The dust and cobweb covered abandoned place was cold and creepy looking, but it'll do for a night or two. Beats trying to set up tents in the rain and worrying about all your things getting wet in the process. Although you were sure your drizzlie wouldn't have minded being a water pokemon. The three children were excitedly talking about the amazing performance Piers had put on display for you all during the battle and dicussing ideas for Hop to use during his battle between him and Piers tomorrow. Somehow while climbing the stairs you convinced the lot of them that it'd be a good idea to just rest as soon as you returned to your rooms as to be as rested as possible for the next day. As soon as you all split up to your seperate rooms for the night you gave out a sigh. It had been a while since you had a space all to yourself. It was peaceful. After bidding everyone good night, you slunk into your room. Your drizzlie slowly opened an eye upon hearing your entrance into the room but soon after closed it again noticing it was you unmoving from his spot just laying around on your bed for the night. 

"Nice to see you too," you said before going over to the bed and slowly sitting down next to him as he yawned and curled onto his side in a cat like pose. You had hissed when slowly sitting down as your shoulder shot more pain down your spine again as it was lightly moved upon you sitting. You turned your head and one look at your shoulder told you you wouldn't be able to lay down tonight unless you wanted to risk more pain or a worse injury for whatever happened to it. .....You sighed turning your head back over towards your drizzlie as he shifted to lean his head against your leg with the same closed eye expression. Even when asleep he looked bored and uninterested as always. You were sure of one thing. You weren't getting any sleep tonight. ...At least you wouldn't keep anyone else up if you had your own room. "....You know. If we're gonna stay together for at least the rest of the year, I need something to call you." Your drizzlie didn't respond but you continued lost in thought. I mean might as well name him. The room you were sat it didn't have any tvs or radios and you'd stay up for a while, gave you something to do. And it'd be a lot easier to call him something than 'My Pokemon', 'Drizzlie', 'Him', 'The Pokemon', etc. "....You know. I think I'll call you River."....He opened one eye at you. "..Mmm. Yeah. I guess that's a bit predictable for a water type name. Well let's see what's a water type move." You....couldn't remember a whole lot. But maybe giving him a name based off a type move would be more fitting. "Hydro pump. Whirlpool. Bubble Beam. Water Gun...." Yeah. None of those sounded nice either. You stared at his grey self for a little while longer. Small pitter patters of the rain finally coming down outside. Well the silver lining through the veil of clouds was that you were insi-...Wait a minute. Perking up, you looked back to the grey drizzlie. "Silver Veil!" He immediately opened his eyes and turned his head to you. "You like that Boy?" His answer was to give out a loud chirp and for once smile at you making you laughed. "Silver Veil it is then. Suits you pretty well huh?" He chirped again. 

The sound of the soft rain pouring down was matched with the soft snores of Silver as he had dozed off back to sleep the lazy muffin. It wasn't loud rain like you had been expecting either. It was definitely enough to drench you if you were out there for long enough and it was enough to make the windows all watered up too. But it didn't stop the loud music and faint calling of the famous musician's voice. Carrying just faintly over the rain enough to sound like someone from the next room over from yours was softly playing music against your wall. 

"Bring home the boys and scrap, scrap metal the tanks!~ Get Hitched!~ Make a career out of robbin' banks!~ Because the world's just a tella and we are wearin' black masks!~ You broke our spirits says the note we pass!~ MALAMAR USE PSYBEAM!!" 

You must've guessed he was battling Marnie by the sounds of it. Again the only reason you were probably able to hear him was thanks to that loud as all heck mic of his, which seemed to be carrying the sound over to you but clearly muffled by the rain and occasional thunder outside. Not that you minded a bit. Having nothing better to do, you let your mind go blank for a little while relaxing your body as best as you could from the pain in your shoulder to listen. And for a few blissful moments it was peace. The calming sounds of the rain. The faint sounds of the music and Piers's voice. 

"So we can take the world back from it's heart attack!~ One maniac at a time we will take it back!~ You know time crawls on when yer waitin' for the song to start!~ So dance alone ta the beat of your heart!~ HHHEEEYYY!!~ YOUNG BLOOD!! Doesn't it feel like our time is run-in' out?!~ DODGE IT!! PHSYCO WAVES!!" You wondered if he usually battled while singing or if it was just to show off from time to time or something briefly. "M' gonna change you like a remix!~ Then I'll raise you like a phoenix!~ Wearin' our vin-tage misery!~ NO!~ I think it looks betta on me!~ M' gonna change you like a remix!~ Then I'll raise you like a phoenix!~ PUT ON YOUR WAR PAINT!!" 

It was nice. Maybe a bit odd someone found rock and roll with rain music 'nice' but you found it relaxing to say the least. But soon all good things must come to an end. The rain continued as the battle faded out and so did the music and singing signalling that the battle had ended. Whether or not it was Piers or Marnie that actually one was unknown however, and for a brief moment you wondered if you would hear the footsteps of Marnie if she decided to use the hotel for the night as well. But no one came and no footsteps were heard. So Marnie wasn't coming in. Maybe she had skipped town after defeating her brother or was camping out somewhere else? Oh well. You didn't think the player would see her again until the finals anyways. So that meant it was highly unlikely you would see her again until the end of this year anyways, so you shouldn't worry about it too much as the game's story was still well on it's way and so far everything was falling into place.  So you shouldn't hopefully have to worry about her too much. The longer you sat there the more tired you became and at one point almost even falling onto the bed asleep...If it wasn't for the incredibly painful feel coursing through you from your left shoulder where snapping you back into the land of the awake and startling Silver Veil awake as he rapidly blinked at you tired and confused from your reaction and gently grabbing your shoulder. Yeah you were definately not sleeping anytime soon with this thing. ....Now that you thought about it. Exactly how long had you been awake now?? You couldn't exactly remember but it must've been a decent amount of time as besides the rain and Silver you didn't seem to have much company now. You sighed and slowly but painfully stood up. Silver giving a small noise of question watching you stand onto your feet with a hiss. Well...you figured you might as well find someway to entertain yourself because you were weren't getting any sleep tonight. ...Maybe this place had some old books or something you could read to pass the time with? It was worth checking out. If you couldn't find anything then at least you'd be doing something with your time besides sitting and staring out the win-.....dow. You paused. Staring blankly at the window with the water running down it from the rain outside as a faint light glowed from behind it's glass.

"Huh. That's weird. I don't have a flashlight or anything that'd reflect off the glass," you mumbled to yourself as you walked on over to the window and as you got closer you realized that the light was indeed coming from behind the glass and not reflecting anything. Confused you slowly leaned your forehead onto the glass with a hand and looked out the window. It was cold against your skin and everything outside was blurry from the water, but somehow you managed to tell that the light was coming a few houses away around where the gym was. "...That's weird. Marnie should've been done with her battle by now. What's going on out there?"

It WAS odd. Marnie should've been done by now. And with how late and rainy it was no one should've been out in these conditions. There was no music blasting or singing either that you could've heard like before. Which indicated Piers must've been done with his performances for the night as well. ....So who could've been at the gym this late? All the suspicions swimming around in your head were still there and you gave a suspicious look out towards it. Something was up. Stepping away from the window you turned and Silver gave a confused thrum after you as you walked over towards your door and stepped out into the hallway. And you were going to find out what was going on around here. The abandoned hotel was even MORE creepy when you were by yourself and with rain. The wood creaked and groaned under your feet as you marched onwards and by the time you got to the lobby floor and opened the door...You fully realized you were very unprepared as chilly wind blasted you in the face and the rain poured in buckets just an inch from you. With no umbrella and just the thin jacket you wore....Maybe you should've thought this better through...But never the less you only hesitated for a moment before stepping out rain immediately hitting your body as you closed the door behind you. The outside was much more different than the inside. Dark besides the occasional lights that still worked around these streets and the occasional lightning, the rain still coming down not hard but enough to where you started to get soaked as you walked, the noises of the thunder and rain, and the over all spooky feeling you had walking as fast as your shoulder allowed you too. Still getting wet and speed walking towards the bright lights of the building that was the gym you realized soon enough. So someone WAS at the gym?? But who?? The bright light shone through the darkness like some miracle lighthouse in a stormy sea and like a moth to a flame you sped walked right towards it. It was easy to walk into the gym considering there was a giant wall piece missing so the light poured across the street as light consumed your form, as you stepped within it's warm glow. You stood there in the pouring rain for a moment, what felt like hundreds of beads just bouncing on you body in a shower like way getting you more and more soaked the more you stood there standing at the absolutely empty Gym. Before you walked forward. Gawking and blinking wide eyed at the gym around you...... What the heck? The entire place was clean! ..Well as clean as a gym with a wide entrance to the elements could be. The concrete floors were obviously swept up. The stage Piers had been standing on was also swept and it looked shiny as if freshly polished and moped. The speakers that were on stage were gone, and anything else around was neatly stacked and packed away in a small corner behind the safety mesh. The only real thing that looked messy here was the spiderweb cracks on the wall above the staff where Piers's malamar was thrown against, and your watery footsteps and the water dripping off of your half soaked body as you stood there. Under all the lights of the stadium you noticed that there was completely no one. If the lights weren't on (and the place wasn't cleaned) you would've sworn this place was just as abandoned as the rest of the town. ...So why did someone leave the lights on? That was a waste of energy considering Galar was supposedly having a power shortage. ...Wait..What was that noise?

Your head perked up at the small little faint noises that sounded like....Guitar strings?! Your head whipped towards the source of the noise and followed it right over towards what looked like a plain closet door leading into the side of the gym's wall. It was a little open too letting the sounds faintly able to reach your ears. You KNEW that noise anywhere!! That was DEF someone playing the guitar! Or at least someone playing a guitar tune on a radio...But just a lone guitar. No other intruments or singing from what you could hear. Was someone still hear after all or did someone leave a radio on as well as the lights? Hesitating you slowly approached the source of the music wafting through the air. The gentle strumming of the guitar strings was, pun not intended, music to your ears although you were curious to one thing. Who could've been up this LATE playing a guitar? The rain and thunder outside beating against the stadium's roof help to cover some of the music, but as you stood in front of the door you could definitely tell it was coming from inside. Your good arm extended hesitantly reaching out to the door pausing for a moment. Should you really be trespassing like this? You could get in biiig trouble and Hop hasn't even had a chance to battle yet, but you were also REALLY curious to what was behind this door. Eventually curiosity won out and after grabbing the knob you slowly pushed in the door. Which opened with a soft creak. The other side of the door lead down a short hallway and you noticed on the other side was another seemingly large and lit up room. The music wafting from the very end of it. And slowly you ventured forward through the dark hallway. Only now there was a new key added to the eerie guitar. 

"Hey there, Delilah.~ What's it like in Wyndon City?~ I'm a thousand miles away but girl tonight you look so pretty.~ Yes you do.~ The square can't shine as bright as you.~ I swear it's true.~" A voice. A VERY familiar voice. Was singing now. And you paused for a moment as you heard the deep british-like accented but extremely smooth voice of PIERS singing something other than rock wash over you like a hurricane as your eyes widened....That guy was seriously still singing at this hour? Wasn't his voice tired after literally singing through two battles today and even before you arrived in Spikemuth? Blinking you shook your head and continued walking as you listened to the music. "Hey there. Delilah.~ Don'cha worry 'bout the distance.~ M' right there if you get lonely.~ Give this song 'nother listen.~ Close your eyes.~ Listen to my voice.~ It's my disguise.~ I'm by your side.~" As you were approaching the end of the hall between the music, rain, thunder, and singing you heard footsteps. Not a lot but def enough to indicate that there was more than one person working around back there. Team Yell? What were they up to? More cleaning? "OH! It's what you do to me!~ Oh, It's what you do to me.~ OH!~ It's what ya do to me.~ Oh, it's what you do to me.~ What ya do to me.~"

At last you reached the end of the hallway and stood your soaked self right in the door frame. And your eyes widened at what you saw. It was a big room alright. Not as big as the stadium you had just come from but it was the size of at least three of your bedrooms back in your normal world. A bunch of chairs were stacked neatly away in one corner, a giant shelf with cleaning supplies against the opposite wall, and a whole BUNCH of speakers, instruments, and other music related items elsewhere. In the lights above they all shined and even by just looking at them you could tell they were very well taken care of. And you were right about there being a few people here. About four of them. Three members of Team Yell were currently working. One one sweeping one part of the back room floor with a broom while the other two had a speaker propped up on a table partially apart and surrounded by tools as they worked. You guessed they were either fixing it or tuning it up. And the fourth you whole heartedly recognized as Piers. You stared at him as he had his back to you. Sitting on one of the chairs, with a guitar in his hands and strumming away oblivious to your presence staring at him. But the other men noticed you and stopped what they were doing to give you a confused look at your soaked wide eyed self. 

And oblivious he kept singing tapping one of his feet to the rhythm. "Hey there, Delilah.~ I know that times are gettin' hard.~ But believe me girl one day I'll pay the bills with this guitar.~ We'll have it good.~ We'll have the life we knew we would.~ My word is good.~ Hey there, Delilah.~ I got so much left ta say.~ If every simple song I wrote to you would take your breath away I'd write it all.~ Even more in love with me you'd fall.~ We'd have it all.~ OH!~ It's what you do ta me.~ Oh, it's what you do to me.~" With a sigh escaping your lips you found yourself fully turning to him and shaking your head listening. What were you thinking? Piers being an evil bad guy? Did this sound evil to you? "OH!~ It's what you do to me.~ Oh, it's what you do to me.~" No it certainly did not! You wanted to facepalm yourself so hard. There WAS a big bad in he game but Piers it was NOT. He was just a softy who loved singing and his town. "A thousand miles seems pretty far but they've got planes and trains and cars.~ I'd walk to you if I had no other way.~ Our friends would make fun of us an' we'll just laugh 'cause we know that none of them have felt this way.~ Delilah I can promise ya that by the time that we get through the world will neva' ever be same and you're ta bla-a-a-ame!~" Was he singing a....love song?? You didn't think he was into anything else but rock. But either way you found yourself listening to his voice anyways. "Hey there, Delilah.~ You be good an' don'cha miss me.~ Two more years and you'll be done with school and I'll be makin' history like I do.~ You know it's all 'cause of you.~ We can do whatever we want ta do.~ Hey there, Delilah.~ 'Ere's ta you.~ This one's for you.~" You failed to notice the much bigger form of the thing walking down the hallway towards you as you listened. "OH! It's what ya do ta me.~ Oh, it's whatcha do ta me.~ OH! It's whatcha do to me.~ Oh, it's whatcha do to me.~ ....What'cha do ta me.~ O-O-OH!~ WO-O-OAH!!~ Oh!~" 

How was he able to hit those kinds of loud tones without a mic so easily? Yeah a few singers from your world could, but you never got to hear it up close and in person like this- Blackness pooled over you in the form of a shadow and your body froze. The sensation of something BIG looming over you and the wind against your neck as something sniffed you made goosebumps run over your body as you stood there. And slowly turned around as whatever was behind you gave a curious noise and gave a small curious tug on your hair. When your head fully turned to the thing ....you...blinked. And looked cross eyed as whatever it was decided to bump your nose with the end of it's snout in a tall form of something black and white at least a good two or three feet taller than you with eyes. ....You leaned your head back enough to look at it and noticed the HUGE thing was an obstagoon. ...Hhooooooo boy. This might not be goo- !? You blinked as the thing have a cross between a small gurgle and curious dog whine as one of it's hands...Paws?? Came up and grabbed a small strand of your bangs gazing at it's f/c coloring and toying with it as if inspecting a new toy. Almost like a curious puppy. CRAP CRAP CRAP!! Except this wasn't a small and cute puppy, this was a giant man badger pokemon thing!! Ok. Remain calm. It didn't seem to be agressive at all. Just curious. Wait. What did Gloria say about Ghost types?? Misunderstood and would rather be left alone?? Maybe it's the same case with Dark type pokemon. Just stay still and hopefully it wasn't territorial like that Onix back in the Wild Area. Behind you Piers started up some kind of other strum on the guitar but you still stared frozen as you not provoke the thing before you. Curiously the Obstagoon cocked it's head to the right and at your slumped shoulder. Before reaching a hand up and poking it. Immediately as soon as the pokemon jabbed the area of your (still very sore) skin with his sharp talon pain EXPLODED across your right half and you instantly reacted. You couldn't help it.

"OW!!," you cried out your good arm shoot up to clutch your shoulder in pain which only worsened the pain as you instinctively gripped it! Startled the pokemon gave off a garbled noise of surprise and reared his head back from you as you hissed between gritted teeth as you nursed the sore flesh softly.

Behind you piers had JUMPED from his chair and to his feet startled at the loud sound nearly dropping the hot magenta and black painted guitar in his hands. But once he whirled around obviously wide eyed and spooked from the shout....he blinked. At you. Clutching your shoulder nearly hunched over hissing with his Obstagoon in the doorway....What the- YOU!? What was the girl from the gym challenger's group doin' here?! In the middle of the night!? While it was pourin' literal buckets outside!? In fact who gave her authorization to be back here in the first place?! He quickly was able to relax back into his usually resting bored face as he realized the danger wasn't even a danger. 

"Oi. You," he said making you give a yelp of surprise and whip around to him blinking. Those f/c eyes making a strange feeling circle in his guts he couldn't place. He made no hurry to lift the guitar strap over his head and slowly place it down with a small thud into the chair he had previously been sitting in before looking back to you with a raised brow. "What are you doin' here? .....If it's for a fan greetin' the show's over." He leaned back to his full height almost and you blinked as his tone changed to a serious one. "An' I don't do encores."

Oh no. Looks like you were spotted. ...Oh well. With a sigh you fully turned to him still clutching your shoulder. "No. I'm not here for an autograph or for a show."

"Then what are ya 'ere for? No offense but it's kind of double standard you'd yell out 'bout my team sneakin' about and then do the same once ya get into Spikemuth."

You groaned. "I know, I know. But I didn't mean to intrude really." Your good hand gestured to the doorway the obstagoon was still standing in. "But I saw that the lights of your gym was still on and I was wondering what was going on. I didn't really think anyone would be up this late." You felt that guilty feeling swirling in your stomach and gave a sigh. "I'm sorry. I just...got a bit worried is all."

He didn't say anything fore a moment, looking your soaked body and guilty expression up and down with a raised brow. Before closing his eyes with a sigh. "...Nah. After everything you were put through cuz of my negligence to keep track of everything I was supposed to, it's not right of my to say you shouldn't have been worried about what ya saw." He opened his eyes to you. "But maybe next time wait to ask me in the mornin' and stay out of the bloody rain."

You nodded sheepishly rubbing your arm. After all you must've looked quite the sight dripping water everywhere and sneaking in here in the middle of the night. "Um...Y-Yeah. It won't happen again. I just....I shouldn't have just walked in here in the first place. It's not my gym."

Piers was going to say something back to you. He really was. But that was all dashed out the window when the Obstagoon looked at him and gave a loud enough noise to get his trainer's and yours attention. Unknown to everyone, he had been looking between the both of your shoulders during the entirety of yours and Piers's conversation. And narrowed his eyes at the way your right shoulder looked off from your left. Now having his master's (and yours attention with a bewildered brow-) attention, he made a non-threatening growl in the back of his throat. Turned his head back down to you as he raised his hand. And gave another soft poke to your shoulder.

"OW!!" Your reaction was immediate and Piers blinked wide eyed as you hopped away a good yard or two. The same pain from before spiking down your spine and you hissed tossing the taller pokemon a scowl. "Would you please STOP doing that!? It HURTS!!" You stressed to try and get your point across to the pokemon who gave off a garbled growl at your words.

Piers stared at you....Then to his obstagoon..Then back to you or more specifically the area the pokemon had touched. Black brows raising at the sight of your right shoulder slumped in a strange way. Curious he gazed between the both of your shoulders left and right quickly noticing the clear difference between the two of him and it dawned on the gym leader like lightning. 

"We all had to climb over that wall which was dangerous and I actually fell!!" You then gestured to your hurt shoulder that oddly slumped a bit pain still very present. "Falling and landing on my shoulder wasn't fun I can tell you that!" 

....Oh no. Oh Nonononono!! You-...You all had climbed over that stupid wall that he had FAILED to notice. And had gotten hurt because of it. Had gotten hurt..because of HIM!! An immediate pulsation of uneasy and pure guilt was suddenly dumped in the gym leader's stomach like he had swallowed a whole bucket of ice as he silently stared. This was...bad. REALLY REALLY BAD!! The gym stadium could get sued for damages and medical expenses. But that didn't concern him. How was he supposed to pass the stadium onto Marnie when if she didn't become champion!? What would the world think of her and the good people of Spikemuth if their gym leader failed to prevent a simple thing like this!? How was this woman not yelling at him that she'd sue him for this?!...Well he guessed she technically did before when they first met, but why wasn't she going to the nearest hospital right this second!? That looked so painful and serious! And the worse part was that he didn't even notice!! AGAIN!! WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIM!? It took his pokemon seeing her to bloody figure it out for him!!

You blinked and looked over at the sound of approaching footsteps and gave a silent stare to the form of Piers slowly walking over you with some kind of emotion you couldn't place in his eyes. He stopped in front of you and after a moment raised a hand up looking...lost almost between your face and the obviously hurt shoulder you had. "Are..Are ya feelin' ok there? My obstagoon might've given ya a hard jab."

....You shook your head. "No. It wasn't his fault. I hurt my shoulder when I fell, but I'll be fine. We'll be heading back to Hammerlocke first thing after my other friend battles you and win, and I'm sure they have a doctor there."

At this Piers's bright blue eyes really widened in disbelief. "Ham-....Bloody Hammerlocke!?"

"Yyyyeessss?," you asked giving him a strange look, "Why?"

"I know that place almost as good as I know Spikemuth. And they haven't gotten any doctors! The closest Hospital is in Motostoke and that's a plenty days travel from 'ere and that goes for trains and flyin' taxies too!," he nearly panicked explained to you as if he couldn't even believe what he was hearing, "An' you was just gonna stay here until your friend won against me? How do you know that wouldn't take days? Did ya even think of that problem?!"

You opened your mouth but found yourself not saying a word.....Oh. Oh you uh..Hadn't thought of that possibility. While you never thought of Hop as a bad trainer it certainly might take him a bit to beat Piers. Were you just going to sleep deprive yourself until you left? And the trip even back to Hammerlocke would take days. Were you planning on sleep depriving yourself on the way there because of the pain as well??...Man. You..really hadn't thought this through at all.

Piers let out a long sigh at your silence turning his closed eyes up to the ceiling. Before with a snap of his fingers he pointed to the man who was sweeping earlier. "You. Get Francesca over here pronto. I don' care if she's asleep. Wake 'er up and get her here to fix this. NOW!"

You blinked and watched as the man dropped the broom with a clatter to the ground before running off to and out the doorway squeezing his way past the obstagoon who made a noise of protest as he did. Before raising a brow back to Piers's upset face. You hadn't really heard him use this kind of authoritative tone before. The sudden change was strange. "Francesca? Who's that?"

"Francesca Joy." He looked back to you with a stern frown. He HAD to make this right. Even if he gets in trouble. It was his responsibility as the Gym Leader to make sure you were tended to while in Spikemuth. "She was the Nurse from the center before everyone left but she stuck 'round. Glad she did too. She ought ta be able to fix ya up or at least help you before you can get proper treatment....I hope." Turning is eyes landed on the chair he was previously sitting in. You watched as with a few big strides he was there. Grabbing the guitar out of it in one hand and dragging the thing over towards you with a scraping noise with the other. "Here!" He said placing it down in front of you. "Sit down. You've got enough on yer plate as it is so rest til they get here."

You blinked between the both of them for the moment but seeing you were pretty tired from not being able to sleep yet you accepted his kind offer and slowly lowered yourself into the chair he offered you. "Uh...Thanks." He nodded pausing a second to look over your soaked clothes for a moment before snapping his fingers again and ordering one of the other two remaining grunts to go fetch you something warm to drink. You blinked holding up your good arm. "H-Hey. You don't gotta do that. I'm fine really. I mean I can probably just take a hot shower once I get back to the hotel anyways and change to warm up."

To your surprise with that same frown he shook his head no. "Nope. That's not how this is gonna work. You wanted me ta do something' about this? Well I am. Now we just wait for my team to get back with the goods. ....How are you feelin'?"

"Honestly?," you asked and he nodded. "Well I am kinda cold and my shoulder still hurts. And I'm pretty tired cuz I couldn't get any dumb sleep with it."

He hummed giving you another look over. Again landing on your confused face and that oddly familiar feeling returned. Now he didn't have the absolute best memory in the entire Galar Region, considering he was so wrapped up in the giant hole of a problem he was still digging his way out of and not noticing his own team doing things was proof of that. But there was a particular feeling that he had seen you somewhere before. Maybe you used to live in Spikemuth and he saw you around town?....Before almost everyone abandoned ship that is.

"Crikey!" A loud noise startled you and you both looked (Piers slower and calmer than you) over towards the remaining grunt who was growling at himself and hand thrown a tool back down onto the table. "This thing's bloody makin' me annoyed on purpose I swear!"

"What's the matter, R.J.?," Piers asked and you looked between the two of them. How could he tell them apart? The all looked the same to you. In fact you had forgotten there was even another person in the room other than Piers and his obstagoon for a good moment.

R.J. as Piers had called him deeply scowled at the speaker he was attempting to fix and flung a hand at it. "Oh it's this stupid box of nuts n' bolts, Boss! I tried everything from replacing some worn down parts to polishin' the insides but it still makes that stupid noise! At this point I think we'll have to replace it!"

......Piers looked down to you when you said a small huh under your breath. "That's R.J.." You looked at him again as he pointed. "He n' Benjamin are my crew's maintenance and repair boys. They keep everything around the gym up and runnin'."

"Yeah we'll this is one thing I can't fix! Worked on it for the past three days and nothin's changed. I don't get why! There's no wires loose and everything is cleaned and undamaged, but it keeps making this weird buzzing sound every time we try and use it!" You looked at the table for a moment. Brain taking in all the tools laid out on the table as the speaker laid partially open in front of the scowling man. "It's three hundred watts RMS woofer and it's supposed ta make bass not this-"

"Did you check the amp?" Both of the men turned to you and Piers rose a brow in surprise as you pointed. "The amp. Did you check it out?"

R.J. just nodded to you still frowned. "Tested it usin' a different speaker but there wasn't anything wrong with it, so I dunno what else could be wrong with it."

You hummed more looking at the speaker before you on the table in thought. Brain wracking for what you did know about these things. "....Is it possible..." You looked back up at him. "That the voice coil could just be rubbing against the metal or something?"

R.J. paused for a good moment his face drawing a blank as Piers's brows raised in surprise you would know what that was. Before R.J. looked back down to said speaker. ".....I didn't even think of that. But yeah! That could why I didn't find anything else wrong with it. The voice coil might just need to be fixed up." He hummed looking at the small mess on the table he made. "I can check it out tomorrow mornin' and see if that works!" He smiled. "Thanks!"

"No problem!" You smiled! You were happy to help even if your know how about how to fix speakers was limited.

After a bit of silence other than Piers telling R.J. to pack everything up and call it a night, and the clanking of tools as he packed up before leaving, you two sat there waiting for this Francesca and the warm drink that was promised. You sitting down in the chair and Piers took up leaning against the wall arms crossed, eyes closed, and looking bored as usual. Your drink was the first thing to arrive. Plain tea that didn't really have anything to sweeten it so it tasted bland, but it was food and warm. Plus you didn't want to seem rude to Piers's hospitality so you excepted it with a thank you before the grunt also left. Once again leaving just you with Piers and his Obstagoon. Silence making it awkward and uncomfortable except for the weather as you sat there and sipped the bland tea trying to pass the time by looking at all the instruments hanging on the wall. What looked like the makings of a drum set. A guitar or two. A keyboard. A keytar even. You hadn't seen many of those. One or two mic stands. A trumpet. Violin. And was that a tuba? With a couple working speakers all underneath them. Definitely a pretty impressive collection of musical items. ...Speaking of which. You silently raised a brow back over towards the guitar that Piers had been playing earlier which he had moved to leaning against the wall. You didn't know he played. He certainly didn't do that in the game or any media you knew about. It must've been because like everyone else, they had more to their lives and roles outside the game and media because this was a real world where they're from and not a video game from yours. Pretty neat if- ....!? You blinked and looked up when something bunched your hair up in a makeshift ponytail and toyed with it. 

"Obstagoon," Piers spoke opening a single eye towards his curious pokemon, "Don't do that. It's rude to touch 'nother person's hair without permission."

"No it's ok." You turned to him with a smiled as the larger pokemon made what sounded to you like an amused sound and pulled all your hair up in a sorta bad version of 'The Bride of Frankenstien''s hairdo. "I don't mind. And he's not hurting me. He's actually a lot like a puppy."

"....Puppy?," Piers asked confused. 

OH SHOOT!! That's right. Dogs weren't a real thing here! "I-I meant baby rockruff. He's just curious. Although I don't see why. Nothin' special about my hair."

"Ah. It must be cuz you have a f/hs while the rest of us don't. He gets curious 'bout new people a lot since not a whole bunch of people are around here anymore. M' sorry. I'll remove 'em if he's being too much of a bother."

You shook your head and the pokemon gave out choked noises that sounded like Obstagoon laughs as your hair waved in a strange way thanks to his hold on it. "Nah. It's alright. He may be big but he's not bothering me unless he decides to suddenly poke me again."

This made Piers pause. Opening both eyes to look at you now. "Really?'' You nodded. "...Ya don't find 'em scary?"

You gave a confused look in return. "Scary? Well yeah maybe at first but he hasn't really done anything to hurt me besides poke my shoulder, but I don't think he meant to actually hurt me. Why would I be scared of him?"

....He gave a half shrug. "Most people like to steer clear of Dark Types cuz of the bad rep they get for theivin' and being mischievous. They like the real pretty ones like Rapidash or the cool lookin' ones like gyarados. I heard charmanders have actually become pretty scarce in the wild cuz of their sudden popularity in the past few years."

"Well it just sounds just like ghost pokemon." 

"....Huh?"

"A friend told me. Ghost Type pokemon usually get a bad rep because a lot of people are afraid of them, but I think a lot of them are pretty cool looking. They wouldn't even hurt you if you don't provoke them most of the time. In fact I really think Frosslass and sableeye are pretty. It's not just Fairy Types or Water Types that can be pretty." By now Piers had lost the bored look and was staring at you wide eyed and black faced. ".....What?"

"....Nothin'." He said eventually face returning to normal. "I just don't meet a whole bunch of people who have that opinion. Some of my own team are spooked by ghost types so it's....not somethin' I hear too often." He seemed to pause for a moment studying your face before looking at his obstagoon who had taken to sniff your hair for a moment. "...Not that it's really any of my business...Whatcha think 'bout Dark Types?"

You lit up with a smile. "They're pretty cool just like any other pokemon types. But if I had to pick a favorite, I'd say Umbreon! But your team's pretty cool too. I didn't think skuntanks could really move as fast as yours can."

"Usually they can't," he explained looking away for a moment hand coming up to fiddle with his choker again as you blinked.

"Really? You must've raised it really well then. It's fast enough to catch up to a rabb- Uh..Raboot."

"Hmm....Thanks."

You rose a brow a brow as he didn't look at him for a moment before your eyes slowly turned over towards the lone guitar still leaned against the wall and his blue eyes looked up at the moment of your good arm pointing over at it in question. "You play?"

Blue eyes stared at it for a brief moment before turning to your form and Piers nodded. "From time to time actually. Yourself?"

You shook your head no. "I've had a few lessons...but I had to quite." You did have a few lessons back in highschool but you were forced to stop by your mother when she made you study more and take on your jobs to help pay bills instead of in her words 'waste money on useless things'. "To be honest I can't really sing or play much of any instruments. But I LOVE the topic of music!" You gave a genuine but bashful smile. "Kinda strange right? Can't sing or play instruments but music is still my most favorite things."

"....Nah. I don't," he seemed pretty interested now as he looked over you for a moment. "But if ya loved it so much why did you quite all of a sudden if ya don' mind me asking?"

At this you stopped staring wide eyed at Piers as he patiently stared back at you. ......Oooook. That actually wasn't a question you had really been expecting to be asked. Especially coming from someone who back in your own normal world wouldn't even really exist outside a video game. HECK!! As far as you knew the man standing before you, Piers, and everyone else still might not exist and this was some kind of fantasy/dream world your brain made up. And you were still expecting one of these days to wake up. Heck. For all you knew you could wake up right now at any second to your old still messy bedroom and your own mother nagging over you sleeping in late....Again. But it was still a question you weren't prepared to answer if anyone asked. Real or not. How were you supposed to answer that? Seeing no change to his silent face you sighed and slowly leaned your head back in your chair to look skyward and the obstagoon tilted his face above yours curiously. You didn't answer for a good and long silent moment which made Piers give a small hum to himself. Maybe that wasn't a good question to ask. He might've crossed a boundary he shouldn't have but-.....There was..something. Something about this woman sitting there that caught his attention and it wasn't leaving anytime soon. He was still internally shellshocked from the half scolding half flurry of compliments she threw at him during and after the battle. .....It was..too much too soon to take all in and he was still a jumbled mess trying to figure it all out-

"Where should I start?" He blinked back up when you raised your now half empty glass into the air. "Everything's just been so....Well I wouldn't call it wrong but it was certainly not the best. For all I know I'll wake up tomorrow and go back to dealing with the same thing I did when I left."

"....Well," You didn't move from your spot when he moved from his spot on the wall, hands still crossed and slowly walked over to stand next to your chair. "Normally I don't really bother other people, especially those who are jus' passin' through. But I have my own reasons for questionin' you." You finally looked at him confused. Questioning you? The heck did that mean? Did you get in trouble after all? This wasn't good. He held up a finger. "I got a suspicion 'bout you but I need to know the bloody truth first and foremost. Specially all things considerin'."

At this your eyes really did widen in worry. OH BOY!! You really were in trouble!...Well you probably did look suspicious. Coming into Spikemuth to shout a bit at him and then trespassing into his own gym probably wasn't the best image to have. He could probably have you arrested for trespassing charges or worse this could look bad on Hop and Gloria's gym challenger reputations for having a traveling partner who snooped around in the middle of the night like some thief. ......The only logical thing to do in this moment would probably be to appeal to Piers and convince him you weren't a threat.

So with a sigh you nodded and looked at him seriously. "Sure. What's eating you up about me?"

He paused for a moment not really expecting you to be this compliant but shrugged it off. The nagging feeling wouldn't go away unless he figured out where he'd seen you anyways. You mentioned you liked music. Perhaps you attended a past concert or something?? He cleared his throat before re-asking, "Well. Ya can start with answerin' my first question."

"You mean why I stopped trying to play the guitar?," you asked brow raised and he slowly nodded. And you groaned leaning your head back again. ".....Well. Long story short. My mom was a single parent and money was pretty tight all the time. We had to save as much as we could growing up so I had to stop taking lessons."

"What about your old man?"

You went silent. Eyes wide for a sec as you stared at the ceiling for a long moment...and Piers frown softened when you turned your head away suddenly in a scowl. "...I....I think that's a pretty personal question to be asking a total stranger. Don't you?"

"....You're right. An' I'm sorry about that....But I can't help but....need to ask."

"......." Da HECK was THAT supposed to mean?! You slowly looked back at him. Your face one of pure confusion and total disbelief he'd say something like that. ".....WHAT?"

..A hand fiddled with his choker again as he looked off to the side. "...It's just that...You look really familiar n' said a whole bunch of personal compliments. No offense but I don't find it a coincidence someone I don' know would come 'ere and say all that stuff from earlier unless I knew them or they knew me from somewhere. So...Do I know ya from somewhere?"

You just.....stared. Stared at him unblinking with the blankest look on your face. ......WHAT THE HUH!? Does he know you from somewhere? No. That'd be crazy! You never met him before earlier today when you arrived in Spikemuth. And you knowing him?....Well you guess that was technically true kinda. You did know him somewhat before you officially met you. But...only because he was a characters in a video game! And the fact he was the first ever all Dark Type Gym Leader in pokemon history. You guessed you also knew him from the music videos Gloria shared wth you as well, but you couldn't just say that you used to play a video game and he was actually a video game character where you were from. He'd think you were super crazy and that would just make more trouble for you in the long run. Plus even IF you said you recognized him from his online videos, how could he possibly recognize you from anywhere? Again. You two just physically met face to face THAT day. 

''Uh..." You rose a brow earlier staring at him for a long silent moment. "....I ....honestly dunno what to say about that, Dude. I've never even talked to ya before now." 

You stared at his blue eyes for a long moment going to shrug but stopped. Like someone hit the pause button on the TV for a moment and you froze solid as like a DVD you rewound to scenes way, way back when. Those eyes.....Those electric blue eyes...You'd never seen anyone else with those unique and one-and-only shade before on anyone else...Or had you? The  shade covering his upper face reminded you of something. Not that you could place it really. It was probably just a deja vu feeling from your time back on your world remembering him like when you remembered Gordie and Melony. So why did this feel- !? It was in that moment the moment struck you like a slap to the face and your brain pressed play on a memory long forgotten. A memory that at the moment wasn't important and was so unimportant you had completely forgotten about it. But now months later it was dug up again and now replaying in your head as clear as the day it happened. THE DAY OF THE ENTRANCE CEREMONY!!

"OW!" You flinched when someone's elbow rammed into your side hard and you snapped a scowl in their direction, one hand reaching up to rub your side that got hit. Unfortunately it was too loud for Victor to notice. He was a little busy setting up his camera to presumably take pictures of his twin when Gloria eventually took the stage. The one who hit you was none other than the man who was covered in those baggy clothes and scarf hiding his identity. When you shock a glare at him he froze for a moment before holding up his hands.

"Sorry 'bout that," the man apologized with that you could a brittish accent. From what you could make out the stranger had pale skin with bright ice blue eyes. "Some bugger shoved me inta you 's all. Hope I didn't cause too much harm." 

You stared at him a moment before sighing and shaking your head. "No. It's alright. There is a lot of people here isn't there?" 

"You're not wrong." His eyes crinkled in a way you knew in what must've been a frown as he looked back towards the stadium around you two. "Bloody show ponytas gallopin' 'round like it's a wrestling ring. There's usually no darn system to calmly get people seated anymore." 

You found yourself nodding in agreement. "Yeah. Where I'm from usually you'd have to buy a ticket to enter a stadium as big as this! Not just let everyone walk in." 

You didn't notice but the man looked back at you. "That sounds like a decent system and could raise funds! Nowadays it's like a bloody mob of beedrills swarmin' a honey farm!" 

You shrugged. "Well every place is different! And I guess it's not a bad thing they're not selling tickets! I don't think I could've afforded to buy one to come see this with my friends!" 

He blinked at your words. "Oh yeah? You friends with one of the challengers?" 

You nodded. "Two actually! They're from the same town! What about you?" 

He looked over you for a moment humming. "Two from the same town, eh? Strange." He shook his head. " I'm 'ere for my lil sister." 

"Oh!" You smiled. "You're little sister is competing?" 

He nodded. "Yeah. Real proud o' her too." He sighed. "She has some really good potential. I can't wait to see everyone's faces when they see her." 

Your smile widened a bit. "I think that's really sweet of you to come here and support her then!" 

His head tilted a little bit back to you as if a bit curious or surprised(you couldn't tell behind that hood and scarf) but he nodded. "Thanks. 'S real nice of ya to support your pals too."

Piers blinked suddenly when you all of a sudden in a moment of clarity pointed right at his face and nearly jumped from your seat as you recognized those eyes. That pale skin. Surrounded by a scarf and hoodie hiding his many recognizable features. "HOODIE GUY!!"

Piers....leaned back away from your good arm pointing at his face, blue eyes going crossed eyed for a moment before they traveled from your finger to your hand, down your arm, and to your narrowed eyes blankly. "......Wot?" 

"I swear I forget things so easily," you mumbled brining your hand still gripping the cup to your forehead and let off a groan as Piers brow rose even more. Hoodie ...Guy? Who the bloody heck was 'Hoodie Guy'?? Your hand pointed back to him and you wanted to facepalm yourself hard for forgetting that so easily. Well at least NOW you have more answers and wouldn't likely get in trouble for your answer. "I saw you at the Entrance Ceremony back in January. When the Gym Challenger officially started."

It was his turn to look confused as his nose scrunched up in a frown. "Noooo...No ya didn't. I didn't attend the ceremony this year-"

"YES! You DID," you frowned back not giving him time to finish. You weren't going to get in trouble because SOMEONE couldn't remember and you weren't talking about you this time. Piers flinched when you handed your cup into one of Obstagoon's curious hands, and the pokemon was delighted to help himself to the drink, as you pointed back at him. "I just didn't recognize you til not cuz you were in disguise." You felt satisfied watching the man freeze in surprise, blank slate replacing his face. Your hand met your cheek as you leaned into it staring at him. "Fyi maybe you should try using something to cover your eyes next time you go out in a scarf and hoodie. I don't think anyone else has your specific shade of blue eyes except for your sister so it's kind of a give away if someone pays attention close enough...Speaking of Marnie, that's why you were there right? You sat next to me in the stadium to cheer her on."

The black and white haired rockstar with those bright blue eyes stared at you for a long....LONG moment. Before slowly he finally moved. Arms slowly uncrossing and one going to his side as the other reached up to point at you. "That was...you?" You nodded and it seemed to dawn on him as well the more he stared at you.....THAT'S WHERE HE REMEMBERED SEEING YOU FROM!! "That was you!? The woman who went on 'bout havin' ta pay to enter a stadium?"

"And the one you rammed in the ribs."

"Bloody freakin' sakes!" He leaned his head back and closed his eyes with a deep groan. "M' pretty SURE I apologized to ya for that!"

You nodded. "You did don't worry. But that's probably why you recognized me. Who knew you'd end up apologizing to me twice in the same year?....And I meant that as a joke. You really don't have to apologize for anything."

"Then what was THAT back there?!" He insisted looking back to you slightly frowning. "Sayin' y-ya believed in me and ....and all that cheerin'! And...And-"

You rose a brow back. "Because it was a compliment?" You gestured your hand at him. "What? You never get compliments from your fans before?"

"Nah. I do. Just not so....." He looked you up and down for a moment trying to really described the waterfall of emotions that your words had caused. Not that he meant it in a bad way either. "....Specific and direct I guess. An' right after yellin' at me?"

"Because I felt BAD OK!?" You half yelled back at him scowling. "I was mad because of what Team Yell did and that I got hurt! I said stuff I shouldn't have said in the heat of the moment and you..." You paused for a moment before flopping your head back in your hand. Maybe it was the pain or the lack of sleep getting to you but you were both annoyed and mentally exhausted from this. "You looked and acted upset after I yelled at you. Especially after your battle against Gloria. So yeah! Maybe some of that WAS my fault throwing it back in your face....So I decided to apologize. Maybe overloading you with compliments wasn't the best choice right after I exploded at you but I meant what I said." You opened an eye over at his speechless form as he regarded you silently. "And I-....I-I'm sorry. Ok? I'm sorry for yelling at you. I'm sorry for making you feel bad. And I'm really, really sorry for trespassing into your gym. It..I-It wasn't right at all." A small silence followed and you started to feel a more guilty feeling swirl in your gut the more he regarded you with that bored expression you couldn't place. "If there-..If there really is anything that I can do to make it up to you I gladly will-"

"No." With a sigh through his nose he looked away. All the weird feelings about the day fizzling out at getting the answers. Of course that's why she apologized. She felt bad about yelling at him, rightfully so though. Piers you had to pull yourself together. At least he had gotten some of the things bugging him off his chest. "Don' apologize for what you said. You're right I have to pull myself together and take a better lead for my team and Gym."

"That doesn't make what you're dealing with less hard." You nodded back towards the doorway. "It must've been hard to manage things when they're in these conditions."

He huffed. "Oh you have no idea."

"Must be one heck of a job for one man to care for an entire town and keep an eye on over forty people AND a gym. No wonder you could've been so distracted. I know if I was in your shoes, I would've gone crazy by now." You said the last part in a small joking tone and it got a small hum out of him. "...Hey. Speaking of everyone, where are they?"

"I sent 'em all to reopen the city and take apart that wall they made after you all first left for the hotel," He explained, "They're probably all done and asleep somewhere now. Marn-marn's at home for the night too before she leaves again in the morning."

"Your sister's a strong trainer. I like her spirit. She's pretty blunt and to the point, but I like that about her. She knows what she wants and doesn't take anyone's hate. Marnie's a good kid."

This time you got a huff out of him and a half smile was turned your way. "Yeah. That's exactly how I would describe her." He sighed before turning back to you. "She'll make a great champion."

You nodded. "She would in her own right." You paused in thought as you hummed. "A Champion who's mysterious dark but kind personality would make for an interesting one. In fact Marnie would probably know how to handle big crowds real good since she has Team Yell and a famous brother. She'd know the ins and outs of how to take of herself in a big spotlight position. Plus her blunt and take-no-crap like personality would be pretty handy if she had to deal with some situations-....Uh." You trailed off finding him staring at you and you smiled back nervously. "S-Sorry. I'm probably boring you huh?"

"No. Not at all. 'Cause that's EXACTLY why she'd be such an amazing Champion!"

You blinked. "Wait. Really?!"

He nodded and sighed. "She has so potential. She'd make a great anythin' no matter what career she choses."..He smiled a bit more. "I'd like ta think she takes after me."

You snorted. "...You really are a unique trainer. I enjoyed watching you battle against my friend. It's amazing you're able to keep watch on the battle field and sing at the same time. You must be used to multitasking huh?"

He sighed shaking his head and crossing his arms again. "Multitaskin'...That's one way to put it I guess. Been doin' that forever."

"Well I'll tell you one thing. You have much more appeal to talk to than Raihan does..But maybe that's just my opinion."

At your words you once again caught Piers's attention as he hummed with interest. "Oh. So you met Hammerlocke's celeb huh?"

He was surprised when you gave a groan that ended in a dry huff. "Oh Yeah I met him alright." You rolled your eyes back to him. "He's like a rock type pokemon and you have to play dead." He rose a brow. "Y'know that one saying. You have to play dead or else they'll pounce on anything that moves."

"SNRK!!!" You blinked. Like in shock blinked eyes going wide as...As Piers. PIERS. The guy that had barely any expressions besides resting bored face....Snort..Wait. Did he snort for real? Are you sure it wasn't the Obstagoon who made that noise?...Piers as quick as his skuntank snapped his head to the side and you couldn't see his face thanks to his bangs covering him, but one of his hands shot up to cover his mouth. ..And...You...Y-You blinked again. As his body ever so slightly shook. If it wasn't for his hair and choker swaying a bit you couldn't tell was. "....P-pardon?" He asked and it sounded forced almost and just above a whisper. Like his throat was clenched and he had trouble saying it outloud. 

You rose a brow and frowned a bit at him. Did he think your interaction was funny!? "You heard me and you know it!" You accused pointing a hand at him. "I thought the guy was gonna try to make me a side dish for his next curry by how he looks at you!" Another snort and Piers quickly turned his full body away from you now. And you scowled! "Hey! Don't laugh at me! That guy's scarier than your obstagoon! Compared to him it makes your pokemon look like a teddy bear." Piers WHEEZED his other hand clutching his stomach trying to contain his laughter. Oh if only you knew the true reason! It only annoyed you more seeing his shoulders shaking. "Hey! It's not funny! I thought that guy was about to sink those pearly whites right into me like a whole free buffet! It was terrifying! Hopefully he'll be too busy taking selfies when we go back to go Y/n hunting."

That's it. That last line was the one that broke him. "PFFFT!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!" You annoyed watched as Piers literally leaned over both arms clutching his stomach as a torrent of loud laughs bellowed out of his mouth and vibrated around the otherwise lonesome room. Mixing in with the sounds of the rain and you sat there. Your face slowly turning a red in embarrassment as he kept up his torment of laughs and wheezes. What was so funny!? "HAHAHAHAHAHA!! *G-A-S-P!!* AHAHAHAHAHAHA!! NO!!" His hair shook as he shook his head and still chuckling shoulders shaking he shakily and slowly turned his body around to your. Your red faced burnt in annoyance next seeing him actually.....shakily smiling wide and blue eyes filled with amusement as one of his hands very shakily pointed at you. "OH! B-B-B-Loody heck! Hehehe.. I-It's too much o-o-o-of-f-f-f a coinc-cidence t-t-ta be true!!"

You nearly growled at him. "Too much of WHAT, Mr. Hot Pink!?"

He didn't seem to care about the name as he asked next still smiling like a look, "Hmhmhm. *GASP!!*...*cough cough* A-Are YOU the o-o-one w-w-who shut h-him down in H-H-Hammerl-l-l-lock-k-ke!?"

"You bet your darn gym badge I DID!! Ain't nobody got time for that!!"

"AHAHAHAHAHA!!!" What followed was another torment of laughs from Piers who had to grip his knees with his hands as he laughed. And you pouted cheeks out like a chipmunk and red faced at him. "I-.Hehehehehe!! I-I'm s-s-s-sorry!! Hahaha! OH!" He turned his head up still shaking from chuckled and held up a hand. "I-I-I'm n-not laughin' at ya! Hehe! It's just what Raihan t-t-told me that's-s-s s-so ic-conic!!"

"ICONIC?!," you demanded scowling, "What the heck are you on, Pal?...Wait." Your eyes narrowed at him. "What DID he say about me?"

You let him recover from his giggle fit ending in wheezes and many many coughs as he attempted to pull himself together. After a good five minutes of this Piers gave one last inhale and slowly pushed himself back up smile  still on his face as you looked at him. "He-...H-He didn't say anythin' bad I promise. Oh crikey." his hand reached up to rub his eyes. "If only I'd known who ya was sooner."

"WHY tho? He shouldn't be surprised if someone doesn't want to be flirted with."

He inhaled again before slowly exhaling to help calm himself from his laughing high. "Hehe. He...He didn't get surprised cuz ya weren't the first one ta turn him down." He gave a look and you thought he was gonna start laughing histarically again by how wide he smiled. "But it's the way you went 'bout it." He pointed at you. "T-T-The way you jus' bluntly told the guy ya weren't his type to his face n-n-not even two flirts outta his mouth! H-He's never been rejected so short-like and fast to his face! H-He wound up tryin' ta process what had happened for a whole week!"

At this your face dropped to blink. "Really?" Piers nodded. "Oh gee. I-....I didn't mean to hurt his feelings. I just wanted to stop his flirting in the politest..but fastest way possible. I admit he's not bad to look at and a lot of people find his personality and looks attractive." You half shrugged with your good shoulder. "He's just not my type. I'm sure he'll find a nice person soon tho."

Piers nearly went into another laughing fit but managed to contain it with just another snort. "N-Nah. Ya didn't hurt his feelings. Trust me. I knew when I saw him. I-It was just so...interestin' seein' him so confused and trying to wrap his head around being rejected just like that."

"Well I really didn't mean to," you insisted, "I just don't think I wanna be the 'princess' who gets kidnapped by the 'dragon' thank you very much! I prefer to keep away from the fire as much as possible." 

Piers chuckled smiling ..warmly at you know. "Well..I always knew it was kinda just a matter of time til someone was that straightforward with him, but Rai-Rai's over it and back to the same things now."

"Lucky me." You groaned and leaned your head back more. "And HE'S the one who they have to battle against next-....Wait." You glanced to him raising a brow. "Did you just call him Rai-Rai??"

He nodded not ashamed in the slightest. "Yeah. He n' I go way back as friends during the challenge when we 'ere younger." He sighed nodding. "Good times. Good times...." He chuckled again and gave you an amused look. "Tho I can't help but wonder what he's gonna do once he sees ya pretty face again."

"OH COME OFF IT, HOT PINK!!"

Piers laughed again and neither of you two noticed the two people approaching. But Obstagoon did. His head perked up and he gave pause from licking the inside of your old tea cup he was holding to look his way back up the hallway. He made a noise and the both of you looked over as hurried footsteps approached. Not a second after two very soaked Team Yell grunts made their way out and into the room with the both of you two. You Blinked at them. Make up running down their faces as they panted and began either wiping their faces or shaking themselves out. You cringed back a bit as water droplets were sprayed your way. 

"S-Sorry it took so long, Boss," the man apologized wiping his face with one hand and smearing the already running make up and jabbing a thumb behind him to the woman who was attempting to wipe water off her jacket. "I-It a bit ta find her but I did."

Said woman behind him brushed her arms off for another moment before placing her hands on her hips and with a frown looked between you and Piers for a moment silently. ...Before pointing at you. "Is this the 'frantically hurt and in pain' woman? ...You're not 'crying out in pain like a dying snorlax'."

You rose a brow. You guessed that the guy who got her must've exaggerated your condition a bit. Piers shook his head behind you before nodding a head to your bad shoulder. "Nah. But she's definitely not right as rain either. How's 'bout it? Mind takin' a look at 'er shoulder there?"

The woman, who you guessed must've been Francesca Joy (a.k.a Spikemuth's Pokemon Center's Nurse Joy), rose a brow and eyed your shoulder for a moment seeing nothing wrong. Before leaning over and walking in a half circle to stand in front of you as you silently watched. Nurse Joy stood there for a moment looking between your shoulders and fixating on the one that slumped in a weird way compared to your other one. After a moment she pointed towards you and asked, "What happened?"

"She fell off climbin' over that blasted wall ya'll set up without me knowin'," Piers explained face giving a frown towards her. The male Team Yell grunt winced but Nurse Joy didn't look away from your shoulder and only hummed. "Said she landed on her shoulder and been havin' pain. I'm no expert but m' pretty sure it's not supposed to look like that."

"Well you'd be right about that." After another silent moment of staring at your shoulder she looked to your face. "When you fell did it feel like anything shattered or came apart?"

You shook your head. "I know what a broken bone feels like. I had a broken leg as a kid and it doesn't feel like that at all."

"I see." She took a few steps closer and reached an arm out. "Can you move it at all?"

"No. ...Not my shoulder at least. I can move my arm and hand a bit but whenever I move my shoulder or hit it, it really hurts."

"Hold still." Your eyes widened when all of a sudden she gently but kinda firmly grabbed your shoulder and you yelled out in pain against her. But she didn't pay attention to your protest examining you and looking at Piers who had widen his eyes at your yells. "She's going to be fine. The shoulder's just out of socket. I can fix it but she'll be pretty sore after for a while."

....Piers nodded. "Do it."

"WAIT!! HOLD UP!!"

Your pleas fell on deaf ears. With Nurse blocking your view of what she was doing being so close to your head, you couldn't tell what she was up too. Only the burning sensation of pain and flashes of white dancing in your vision as she grabbed parts of your right si-?!

"AAAHH!!! MOTHER FU- WHAT THE HECK!?"

With a swift and hard moment the feeling of your shoulder being snapped back into it's rightful place. You cried out possibly the loudest you've ever been eyes slamming shut and mouth agap in a scream of pain. Piers paled at the ungodly sight and sounds- THUD!! Piers blinked and looked over seeing that the other man had literally fainted and fell to the floor with a thud sound. Nurse Joy simply just slowly let go and stepped back calmly as if your screaming and struggles did nothing to her. As soon as she stepped away both your shoulders tensed up and your hand grabbed your right shoulder in a deep hiss. A couple tears forming and leaving your eyes as pain throbbed from it. Sore and raw like the after burns of fire. 

"There. How do you feel?"

"I feel like sunshine and rainbows!! How the HECK do you think I feel!?"

"A lot better considering. Now." You poked an eye open and she pointed at you. "You'll be fine but your shoulder's going to be sore for a couple days at most. I suggest avoiding sleeping on your right side and lifting heavy objects for a while to give it time to settle down. But after that you should be all good to go back to your normal routine." She looked to Piers's paled face and he blinked. "And I advise YOU to go get some sleep. Those circles around your eyes have gotten worse. Were you up late singing again?"

........It took him a moment to respond but he blinked when he did and cleared his throat. "I-I mean-.." His hand immediately came up to fiddle with his choker looking away guilty being called out like that. "Jus' one song."

"Uh huh. We'll if you want my expert advice....GO. TO. BED." She looked at the man who fainted and sighed. "And I'll wake Benji up. Someone has to lug his butt back home."

You cut out the rest of what they said out of your head as you stood up rubbing your shoulder and hissing as you rubbed it. Firmly and stiffly back in it's proper place after a few hours of pain. You hadn't noticed your tired and sore self had instinctively stumbled up the hallway and back towards your bed when someone in the form of Piers had caught up to you noticing you leaving and stumbling along. When you leaned too far to one side a strong force grabbed you and easily pulled you back up along to your feet. Blinking tiredly and slowly you turned and met the worried face of Piers who gazed over your own face.

"Hey. Are ye alright?," he asked you slowly.

...You nodded with a groan hanging your head and rubbing your shoulder more. "This SUCKS!! And I'm tired. ...Thanks for the help and everything but I think I just want to go back to the hotel so I can dry off and go to bed....Besides Silver's waiting for me."

"...Silver?," he asked letting go of you when you nodded.

"My pokemon. T-The drizzlie. I left him back in my hotel room."

"Oh. Y'mean the shiny drizzlie. Those are pretty rare to come by."

".....Shiny?" You gave him a weird look. He nodded.

"Those are worth a lot in a lot o' places. Shiny hunters make a livin' by collectin' 'em and trading them off to the rich collectors and higher ups..." His brow raised. "Did you not realize he was a shiny?"

You frowned. "No but what difference does THAT make if he's a shiny, fancy, or whatever magical word they use to describe them." Now Piers paused. Really paused and looked you up and down like he couldn't believe what you were saying. And you frowned again. "....Oh what now? Do I have something on my face?"

He jumped before narrowing those blue eyes and pointed a hand at him. "Lemme get this straight. You ...Ya don't care 'bout your pokemon bein' a rare shiny?" You shook your head a look of confusion coming over his face. "...HOW could you NOT care 'bout that?"

"WHAT DOES IT MATTER!?," you asked him back making him pause as you crossed your arms. "What does it matter if he's a different color from the regular Drizzlie? He could be black, blue, fat, skinny, rainbowified, or hairier than a fur coat with big pink polka dots!!" Piers stared blankly. "I'd still love him because he's cute, helpful, and a whole bunch of other things! Geez! What's with these people and caring just about what color whichever pokemon is!? He's a whole person with feelings! Not a pretty flower you can just trade and give away whenever you please!" You huffed and turned from him. "I don't care if Silver's a shiny. He's my baby. And if anyone like Jesse and James tries taking him then they'll find out how much muscle I built walking for miles on end!"

".....James n' who?"

....You waved him off. "Never mind." You sighed. "...Look. Thanks again for the help. And for the tea. And sorry again for everything. But I really just want to get back to my friends."

.....He blinked and numbly held up a hand. "Y-You....*ahem* Ya want me to walk you back?"

You shook your head sighing and turning back to the still pouring rain and thunder outside. "No thank you. I know how to get back, and I don't want to bother you anymore." You looked back at him one last time over your shoulder and lifted your hand. "But really! You might've saved me from an expensive medical bills and lots of pain. Thank you Mr. Piers. Please have a nice night."

"Uh....R-Right. You too." He watched you go as you turned and with another annoyed sigh made your way off back into the rain on your way to the hotel getting more soaked along the ways. Leaving Piers standing there alone watching as your form was swallowed by darkness and rain disappearing. After a long moment of standing there in silence Piers reached a hand up to rub his head in confusion. "She....doesn't care about special reputations??....Strange lady."

[ginger-grimm]

⌨ + Sabine's Story 😊

Thank you so much @andromedalestrange! You are forcing me to actually put something on paper for her and I needed that!

Sabine huffed, watching her car get pushed off Rainbow Road by Wario. "Fuck me!" she cursed under her breath, button-mashing before she dropped her Nintendo DS in her lap and her head in her neck with a sigh. Normally, she wouldn't mind the whole thing. It's part of the course of Mario Kart. But she wasn't feeling like herself today, and she blamed the new floppy-headed blonde kid paraded into the choir room by that big Oaf Finn Hudson. She shouldn't pay him any mind. Guys at this school were either total burnouts or aggressive jocks - there was no in-between. Well, safe for Kurt. But that was different. This kid smiled at her when he saw her during Homeroom. No one ever smiled at her, especially not during classes. "Alright, you guys!" Sabine snapped out of her thoughts as Ms. Kelly entered the room once more. "We're going to have to cut rehearsals a little short today. There's some stuff I have to deal with regarding Amy." Everyone nodded. No one wanted to address the elephant in the room. "I will let you use the space for the remainder of our rehearsals. I just ask that you take it easy. Sabine, I'm putting you in charge," she said, pointing at her perched on one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs. Sabine nodded in acknowledgment. She knew how things went down. She knew to clean before they left, lock the door, and leave the keys at the administration desk. This had been a common occurrence ever since Ms. Kelly had her baby a year prior, and Sabine learned the ropes. Ms. Kelly said her goodbyes to her students and exited the room. Sabine put her DS away and grabbed her trumpet. There wasn't much left for her to do today. Not in her state of mind. Time moved by like molasses and she just wanted the day to be over faster so she could go to the only place that allowed her to think properly. She was still fiddling around with the buttons on her instrument when Wyatt Weaver plopped into the chair next to her with an equally heavy sigh. "Hey," Sab greeted, her eyes still focused on her trumpet. "Hey, Bee. You going into the woods later?" he asked. She nodded. When didn't she go there? "Why?" "I need someone to talk to." "About Amy?" "Yes." "And why you're the reason she's not coming back this year?" "Yes." The bell rang. Sabine had totally lost sight of the clock while she was daydreaming about the new kid. "Sure. I gotta lock up the joint though." Wyatt jumped up off his chair, already perking up. "I'll help." Sabine smiled at him, pinching his cheek. "Good boy," she said, lightly smacking his face as the other kids funneled out of the room.

[pretendstoread]

i smoked a cigarette and i wasnt even that drunk

there were a few things i wanted to write about today but theyre lost to me now and i wish i at least wrote down the general Idea. but i've at least noticed that ive been actively Indulging in more...taboo? things i wouldn't normally or were too scared to try. i've smoked two cigarettes this summer (woah!), had two shroom trips (WOAH!), had sex with a man for the first time (JEEZ!!), i'm smoking weed more often (hmmm....), and i'm thinking of testing the waters with (recreational?) adderall. this is not to say that i'm going downhill, or self sabotaging, or actively trying to harm myself and others. in fact, i quite like this sort of indulgence i'm in. let me do some unhealthy things right now. i don't think i Deserve it but i just....idk...i kinda need it?

i've always been in this need for control--to have it, to be in it. it's very hard to do new things that way because i don't know what i'm getting into. i'm at the whimsy of the uncomfortable zone. i focus too much on the potential negative of a situation: i'm going to have a bad trip, i'm going to make a bad drawing, i'm going to humiliate myself because i am New To This. and that's where i lack grace and freedom and embracing the Fun of being new.

it sucks that being new at something, trying new things, meeting new people, putting yourself out there in some capacity makes me feel like a burden. if i'm not the responsibility of someone else (i.e. a supervising coworker, a babysitting friend, an experienced lover) then i'm a burden to my own ego. even if i'm alone in my room trying to shake my ass i still feel incredibly embarrassed by my own reflection. seeing such failure (seeing my own body) is maybe worse than sharing it with someone else. there's a humor in that vulnerability that brings me closer to whoever i'm sharing that with: coughing while smoking a cig, readjusting on a dick, spilling a nutcracker in your hair while tripping on the beach are all moments that, while silly and messy and unprepared, bring me closer with the person on the other side of that. it shows a little bit of humanity and humility.

that is not extended to moments with myself though. i dont really know how to fully explain it. maybe it's some degree of not being comfortable with myself or perfectionist problems i have and self-perception etc etc etc. but have you ever failed yourself so hard you don't even want to try again? there is no one else to laugh along with you or reassure you or empathize. when i fail myself, I Fail Myself. yknow? ehhh not really something i want to think about further.

random things i have Happy Feelings for:

came home last night after being in a weed comatose at nat's and hammered nails into my walls so i can hang my belts. it was a random spurt of energy that got something i wanted done but for some reason never tried to do in my free time (i realize i am wayyyyy too adaptable to my own traps of inconvenience. i put the bag of toiletries in my room to Force Me to unpack them and ultimately left it in the way for a couple weeks before just stuffing the whole bag in the closet.)

really liked todays episode of the sopranos: s1e12. junior and tony both deal with mortality in different ways. not much more to say on it right now

also between this episode ^ (isabella the madonna hallucination), honestly themes of the show in general, and watching contrapoints content i've gotten a little interested in reading more about freud LOL. he kinda makes a lot of points??? like we all know this we're just freaked out about the mommy sex stuff. there's a tangent contra video on gamergate and an article she sourced talked about Gamers feeling threatened about their Space, their Games, being taken away by The Woke Mob--AKA women, aka MOMMY. the looming fear of mom coming in your room and saying it's time to stop playing. getting grounded and no video games for a week. mom said it's my turn to use the xbox. that fear recurring in these sad adult men being forced to look at their own flaws. their lack of perspective. stupid sluts coming in and ruining the fun, taking away our games. i found that psychoanalytic perspective reallllllyyyyy interesting

finding a new perspective on chores and self care: there's no rush with it. this is not a thing that needs to be Taken Care Of right this second. my whole evening should be dedicated to doing things on My Terms. i spend 40 hours of my week, every week, doing things on another entity's terms. i do shit when i wanna!!!! and it's for ME!!!!

[sublimecatgalaxy]

Tumblr has been eating messages and requests lately so the lovely @ateliefloresdaprimavera sent in a request to my inbox and I figured I'd still put it in a request form so they can get the notification when it comes out!

The request is for an OC!Henderson!Reader (only OC because making the character a biologically sibling of a character implies assigned race/ethnicity and Dustin is white) x Billy Hargrove. Kind of enemies to lovers where he starts off kind of skeptical of her but eventually comes around and they become like The Couple of the Hawkins group.

I pray this is good.

If you asked anyone in the group of misfits that I watch over, 'who's the leader', they wouldn't hesitate to say that it's Steve. Steve has been the staple babysitter for the longest time, taking care of my younger brother Dustin and his friends, for almost three years. He's a good role model, especially since he dropped his douchebag attitude and developed a personality.

I mean, I think that anyone would improve upon themselves and gain a few braincells back after dropping Carol and Tommy as friends, let's be honest.

He was just a solid dude with a good head on his shoulders and after all of the near death experiences and weird multi-dimensional demons we've fought, they couldn't have asked for a better role model.

Except for me.

Steve was deemed the team mom for the longest time and has even started to develop some maternal instincts; putting himself on the line for the safety of the kiddos, giving the unwarranted advice, not totally understanding the term TMI, and he's annoyed by them a perfect amount for him to be deemed 'mom'.

And yeah, he might be the mom of the group, but I'm the daddy.

Every single thing that mine and Dustin's dad missed out on, I was there for those kids. I was the dad who went and got the milk and actually came home. I was, for them, what I needed from such a young age and it's ended up mending that empty space in Dustin's heart that he's felt every day that he's grown up without a dad.

But every birthday, I was there, every school project and Hellfire campaign, I was prepared to help them get ready, every frustrated tear, every world ending catastrophe- all you could see was me. A second parent to all of them, an older sister- anything they needed, they could find in me.

But somewhere between the mind flayer and Vecna, I got a bit lost.

Maybe not lost but distracted to say the least.

I've always hated people who use a position of power to inflict pain upon other people. You see a lot these days in men, especially my age, getting ahead of themselves and becoming way too full of themselves. Science would tell you that they're just wired differently, that men have this ego thing and it typically relates back to being treated poorly by one of their parents.

It's ironic how the same types of abuse occurs in females, yet, most of the time, we're not raging psychopaths. Most of the time.

The first time I saw Billy Hargrove becoming a bit too snippy with Max, I watched and waited for something to happen- something big enough to give me a reason to intervene. It's not like I had been waiting to punch him across his silly, stupid, handsome face, or anything.

Except I totally had been waiting for that exact opportunity.

And boy, oh boy, did I get it.

I watch from the steps of the arcade as Billy storms around the other side of the car to glare down at Max, a menacing smile on his lips as he mutters quiet words to her. The red head looks tense, her eyes looking anywhere but his as he quietly chastises her, his fists clenching at his sides and she goes to finally open her mouth in words of rebuttal.

I know how this goes, the anger and the frustration, he was bound to snap sooner or later with Max being out and about so much with me and the others. I could only imagine the back talk that he was getting from his dad every time that Max was out a little too late and, though Max didn't see it, I saw that every time she slipped up, Billy was the one getting punished for it.

But somewhere between Billy cornering her against the car and practically spitting in her face, Max finally has enough and steps away from Billy, pushing him a bit with her shoulder. I can tell by the look in his eyes that it would not fly well and he almost immediately reaches forwards with unrelenting speed, wrapping his fingers tightly around her wrist and he tugs her back towards him.

I'm on my feet in a moments notice, marching over towards them as Max catches me out of the corner of her eyes, urging me not to get involved but there isn't a care in the world. He would not get away with being so cruel to her and he wouldn't dare lay a finger on me.

My hands push him roughly away from Max, his eyes slitting and his lips part to argue but he doesn't get a second to speak before my hand is slapping him across his face. He groans loudly at the sting, immediately reaching up to coddle his sore cheek as I tug Max into my side.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" He spits, the red mark on his cheek only making me grin as I rub up and down Max's trembling back.

"Not your bitch and neither is she."

All it took was for his fingers to wrap around the pale girls wrist, tugging her towards him to spit some awful words in his face and I was pushing him away from her, slapping a hand right across his face. He was stunned for a few moments, gawking at me with wide eyes, a smirk too, before muttering out a 'who's this?' to Max moments later.

I explained that I had recently taken her under my wing and that obviously no one was looking out for her or her safety. He was almost annoyed at first, eyes looking me up and down, almost trying to figure me out as if I had an ulterior motive.

But he learned eventually that there were no ulterior motives, I slapped him because he was being a dick and I hung out with Max because she needed someone to look out for her and care for her.

Which, apparently, I would end up doing for both of them months down the line.

Billy and I, at first, were in no means friends. We weren't amicable, we didn't like each other or have any common ground other than the fact that we knew the same people. And I had met him in his life guard days, where he was the most self deluded version of himself. Maybe it was the mind flayer but maybe it wasn't, maybe the supernatural aspect just brought out the even more accurate, terrifying version of himself.

It scared Max but it scared me just as much. We knew he was dangerous, that he was capable of a lot of things, but we never realized just how much of an asset he would become when the evil side of Hawkins took over.

"Billy, this isn't you, stop." Max mutters behind me as I hold my hand up to the glass, looking through the sauna window at Billy but he doesn't look like him. His eyes are more sunken in, hopeless and completely at the will of something else, something distant and far away from me and from the rest of us. He's normally got a look of anger behind his eyes but he looks nothing but calm.

The calm always comes before the storm right?

He just looks at me, ignoring the bickering behind me, tracing his gaze over the grooves and dips of my face, as if he's trying to place me in his memories- like the mind flayer is sifting through Billy's memories to find where I fit in his life.

He pauses, a small smile stretching across his lips in subtle familiarity and it makes me flush, nervous that the mind flayer would say something, that he would speak horrible things about me from deep within Billy's subconscious. But he doesn't, his lips part as if he's going to say something but he doesn't, he just looks from me to Max who stands beside me, her eyes staring into his lifeless ones.

"Why is he acting like he doesn't know you?" Lucas asks behind us and my chin cranes to look back at him, sighing with a heavy heart. I know exactly why he looks like he doens't know me and there's one other person in this room who knows it even better. My eyes turn to Will next who already has a knowing, terrified look on his face.

"It's like when I was possessed by the mind flayer, I didn't even know who Bob was o-or Hopper." Will explains, a look of realization passing through everyone's expression at the memory of Will being completely and utterly gone.

Just like Billy is right now.

When he survived the mind flayer, no one really knew what to do with him.

Here he was, retired bad guy who had his body used by an inter-dimensional freak who needed him to carry out his bidding. He was trapped in his own body for the longest time as is, following exactly in his fathers footsteps- racist, dark, demanding, dominant, judgmental- as to not upset him, to make his dad feel a sliver of pride.

Daddy issues, am I right?

When he came out of the mind flayer, he was hospitalized for the huge gash on his abdomen, Max and I stood at the end of the bed and just game planned for hours on how to deal with him; we had no clue if he would remember anything that happened or if he would be different like Will.

We imagined that if he did remember everything, he would hate himself, beat himself up just like Will did and need hours and hours of supervision and help. But Max explained that he wouldn't take it, he would never take help or comfort especially when he felt like he didn't deserve it.

But when he finally woke up after days, he was terrified. He didn't trust that we were there, that what he was experiencing was real or not. He kept looking through Max and I, not focusing on us long enough to even recognize who we were for a few days. It took weeks of therapy and patience for him to actually start to open up to us about how it was like.

He described that the mind flayer would show him images, dream-like pictures, of the people around him and he never knew whether it was real or not and it led to him not knowing what actually happened over the course that he was 'taken over'.

My eyes widen at the sight of Billy's gaze locked on me, a slight familiar look behind his tired, red eyes. He has dark circles around his hues, his hair matted against his forehead from sweat. I just hand him a glass of water which he takes almost immediately, lip quivering as he takes a sip. Billy's eyes are the definition of sunken in as he looks around the room, jaw gritting at the sight of Max sleeping beside his bed, tears strained on her pale cheeks. He almost looks sad that she's sad, biting at his lip that's already cracked and broken. He looks to me next, his lips parting as the realization crumbles down onto him that he's finally back in his own body, safe and sound.

"How many people did I hurt?" He asks, voice gravely and hoarse as his lips tug down into a frustrated frown. My heart aches at the sight of him showing a sliver of vulnerability, a side to him that not a lot of people have actually had the pleasure to see. Knowing this is hard on him, I take a breath, realizing that the last thing he needs is to be reminded of the horrific pain that we all went through. He doesn't need anymore demons. I know that he's probably beating himself up as it is at the thought of being completely out of control, watching himself hurting everyone else around him without the ability to stop.

So, to take the tension off, my mind does the only thing that I can think of doing.

Cracking a joke.

"Because of the mind flayer or in general?" I tease quietly, having some apprehension, not wanting to make him upset. But moments later, I watch his face relax a bit at the non-judgmental tone in my voice. A small, tired smile spreads across his lips, his shoulders drooping a bit back into the bed at the playful edge that's cut through the tension in the room.

"You're still being an asshole to me, sweetheart? Really?"

After that, he didn't talk about it unless it was absolutely necessary.

Still to this day it's like pulling teeth.

But the only silver-lining with the town going to shit, with Billy getting scarily wounded, was that it was the final straw that sent his dad over the edge. When Billy was released from the hospital, we all found out that his dad had left in the time that we were there, waiting for him to come back to his normal self and to finally be released. Max's mom had been at the hospital with us, staying overnight for days on end while his dad was at home packing his shit and taking all of the money from their joint bank account.

He ran away with his tail between his legs, leaving his son, wife and step daughter to fend for themselves.

I was the one who actually ended up finding the trailer opening at the park, Max's eyes dulling a bit at the glum vibe that was given off by the small community but at least Eddie lived across the street. That would mean that Lucas would be over there along with the rest of the gang.

Speaking of Lucas, Max and I both held it over Billy's head that he was an asshole to Lucas the most and that the boy deserved more than an apology from the recovering man. Billy was hesitant at first, not understanding the need to apologize or maybe he just didn't want to admit that he was a terrible person.

He claimed it was ingrained in his mind from a young age and, maybe he's right, but that was no longer a sound excuse for him to use with me around. He eventually apologized to the boy and the rest of the friend group, including Steve, even though he was embarrassed and felt utterly stupid.

Max and I even believed his apology was sincere.

But the true reason why he hated me so much at first was because I could pick him apart. He hated me at first because I was not afraid to call him out on his bullshit whether it was regarding Max or school, or even his racist comments towards Lucas; I would be there to chew his ass off and make him walk off like a kicked puppy.

But eventually, that anger and annoyance shifted to familiar care and even admiration through all that we had been through and everything that Hawkin's put him through. Eventually it would come out that his mother left at a young age, Max would realize why he was so bitter about her mom, realizing he just didn't trust or like woman that much. He was always afraid of making new friendships and relationships out of fear that he would become too much like his father and that they would run for the hills as quickly as they came.

It was weird to see him softening, to see him apologizing and making right with the people around him, not because we told him to, but because he wanted to be done with it and put it behind him. It was weird when the both of us realized that we were actually becoming friends and it was even more shocking when we realized there was more than friendship between the two of us.

But no matter how strong our personalities were, there was no ignoring our feelings when Max was constantly pointing them out.

"You guys are terrible liars." Max suddenly speaks up from the backseat after minutes of silence, taking Billy and I off guard as we look to each other before stopping at a red light, turning in our spots to look back at the red head.

"Where on earth did that come from?" I ask, deadpanning a smile with a tired look. I know that she knows. She sort of, kind of, walked in on Billy and I moments before we left for the arcade, my mind still replaying the moment that just happened not even twenty minutes ago. I was wondering when she was going to bring it up but I didn't think it would be today let alone right now.

Max just smiles with a shit eating grin and points between Billy and I.

"You two, you're just terrible liars. You act like no one sees it but we all do." She says simply, almost as if she's proud for figuring it out, but I continue to protest and feign ignorance, my brows furrowing, gaze turning to Billy. He just shakes his head with wide eyes, before turning his attention back to the road.

"What do you mean?" Billy asks, looking at the girl through the rearview mirror as I watch him, his fingers tightening around the wheel in anticipation as Max laughs behind us.

"I mean, how you guys are fucking each other and giving each other heart eyes. You think we don't see it but we do- I see it-"

"Max-"

"No, Billy- look," she pauses, sitting up to look at him from between the seats," you've been through shit in the last few months. If you found comfort in Y/n, I get it- so did I. But be fucking honest about it and show her off cuz she deserves to be shown off."

As thrilled and supportive as Max was, Dustin was not as thrilled to find out that Billy and I were together.

Maybe it was because I'm his older sister who really never entertained any sort of relationships with people. I was always there, always responsible for him and the rest of the group, especially after everything that happened with Will. No one would've understood the huge secret that Hawkins was hiding and it's not like I could exactly hide that from someone when dating them. So I just waited and hoped that someone would get involved in the mess and become a potential suitor.

But it just never happened.

Eddie wasn't my type and I don't think I was his, Steve and I were like platonic parents of the kiddos, and everyone else was taken or thinking of someone else. It was just complicated, so I stuck to my role as the older sister and focused on protecting the people who I love.

Dustin also has been more protective over me than anyone else in my life so it wasn't exactly easy to date with him breathing down the back of my neck. Any new friend or crush that I would have, he'd ask an impossible amount of questions and pry into any sort of business that I have. I couldn't keep anything from him so it's not like it was easy when I actually had to come clean to him and tell him that Billy and I were pursuing each other on the down low.

Dustin just didn't understand and that in itself, to me, was understandable. He didn't see all the behind the scenes stuff, only hearing about how Billy had become nicer to Max and I, and how he stopped terrorizing Lucas and owned up to his toxic, oppressive behavior. Dustin really didn't believe it and, to be honest, he had no reason to believe it.

But, days after telling him, Dustin told the rest of the group and eventually they all rounded up and sat us down, forcing us to explain 'what happened' and why all of a sudden we were closer than before.

"This is a joke, right?" Steve asks with a frown, pointing between Billy and I who sit awkwardly on the couch in Eddie's trailer. I send him a quick glance, asking him quietly to take this one. I was in charge of telling Dustin and explaining how we fell for each other to Max but he was in charge of explaining it to everyone else.

The group looks at us, confused and full of questions, all of them silently begging us to explain how this relationship came about.

"Not a joke, Harrington." Billy sighs, looking down at his lap before reaching over to take my hand in his. A few gasps sound out from around the room, my eyes rolling as my head flops back to rest against the couch. "Not that it's any of your goddamn business but, yeah, we're together." He says with a forced smile, looking around the room with a 'well?' expression, begging anyone else to just say something.

"I'm just confused as to when this happened?" Robin scoffs, reaching up to rub her hands down her face before looking to me, wondering why I never opened up to her about my feelings for Billy but there's some truth behind the fact that he snuck up on me in a way.

"Me too honestly." Dustin chuckles and my jaw drops, feeling utterly betrayed because I thought I was passed explaining this to him. "I'm confused as to when it happened. Was it after the mind flayer but before Vecna or sometime other than that?" His question makes my head spin, especially because Billy and I never actually talked about when our feelings developed for one another.

One day, they where just there.

"The confusion thickens." Eddie chuckles, clapping his hands, taking the attention off of Billy and I as the group looks to him. "Let's leave the lovebirds alone and maybe talk about something a little more fascinating because I'm sure we all can assume that this 'relationship' definitely started with them hate fucki-"

"Ew Eddie- gross."

Maybe it was the effort that Billy was putting into changing himself and being less like his dad, maybe it was his sudden kindness towards Max and her mom, though he still held some sort of annoyance towards both of them; something pushed me towards him and I couldn't explain it.

Maybe it was trauma.

Eventually, Billy would slowly acclimate to the group and helping out in the more supernatural aspects of the town, hating the rural space more than he did before. He felt unsafe and unsteady now knowing what was actually out there, hiding under the surface of our homes.

But now he had something that he never had before. He had people, an actual family and friends. He was done being the new king of Hawkins, he was done with the fighting and the bullying. He was trying his best to settle into being an actual human, with actual goals and relationships with people around him.

People like me.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o- Taglist: @bubblebuttwade @rafelover2405 @leslienjazzy @sorceresss @grxnde-dwt @alex–awesome–22 @bunnietoof @niyamar1e @serialghost @plantlungs @geniusohn @akaliltimmytim @lilaalouuxx @xshariex @elliotsbeigeguitar @elle4404 @lelieja @srhxpci @joselyn001 @taysirene @spinkspanther @thedivineuphoria @peter-maximoffs @tsukishimawhore @poohkie90 @szlaco @distantsighs @nstyles4299 @wolflover384 @givemefoodandlovesstuff @vane2828 @yeswhatever33 @amirrahfranson @vvaalleennttiinna @f-mu @yaspillz @jeyramarie @skylievin@abbybarnes17 @jointherebellion215 @visiondaddy @steezysimfinds @its-ya-gay-boi-luigi

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