#BLACKBURN: He said/she said put hands on you

[nelsonbeauchejason]

22

[yandere-writer-momo]

Prequel Part I

Yandere Short Story Series:

Too Late For Remorse

Yandere Cheater Duke x Countess Reader x Duke

TW: murder, yandere themes, cheating (mentioned), delusional behavior, yandere is the villain, etc.

“So you’re breaking off the engagement between my son and your daughter?” Duke Blackburn sat in the chair across from Count (last name). The older Duke delicately held the tea cup in his hand.

“I apologize for breaking the agreement, but my daughter cannot be without a man who associates with the Serpico family.” Duke Blackburn nodded his head in agreement.

“I understand, I’m also not a big fan of infidelity.” It was quite well known in the noble faction that Duke Blackburn’s wife had messed around with many knights during their short marriage. Which worked in Count (Last name)’s favor since Duke Blackburn despised the unfaithful.

Duke Blackburn continued the conversation, “You know your daughter was promised to marry a Blackburn. It’d be a shame to not have such a beautiful woman in our family. I have another son who’s a few years younger than her.”

“Eh, I don’t know if Broderick be a good match since he’s not quite mature yet…” Count (Last name) sighed. “I wouldn’t mind my daughter marrying you if I’m honest-“

Duke Blackburn’s cheeks flushed in shock, the Duke nearly dropped his tea cup from the Count’s words. “I beg your finest pardon?”

“My daughter would be in good hands if she was with you. You’re mature and you’ve been single for over a decade.” Count (last name) gestured to the portrait of his daughter behind him. “You said it yourself that my daughter was beautiful.”

“That does not mean I want to marry a woman half my age-“

“Duke Lucius Blackburn and Duchess (your

name), I can picture it.” Count (last name) howled with laughter when the Duke hid his scarred face in his gloved hands. The older Duke felt embarrassed by the Count’s teasing.

Lucius and (your name)? It is a normal occurrence of marrying a younger woman in this day and age, but she was his own son’s ex-fiancée! Then again, it would be a similar situation if she became engaged to Broderick…

“Alright. I will marry your daughter-“ Duke Blackburn put his hand on Count (last name)’s shoulder before the smaller man could cheer. “But consult with her first. I’m an old man and I’m still the commander of the Royal’ Family’s army. I’d hardly have time for her.”

“Of course I will. I’m sure she will be delighted!”

Duke Blackburn and Count (last name) continued to have small talk but Lucius couldn’t help the feeling of nervousness that crept up his veins. Would she really be alright with a man like him?

.

.

.

“So Duke Blackburn said he’d marry you if you’d like to be with him.” (Your name) quirked a brow at her father. The young woman slowly sipped the tea her father had prepared for this meeting. She was a bit surprised her father wanted to find her a partner this quickly, but she was also in her prime. If (your name) didn’t marry soon, she never would.

“But I just ended my engagement to him-“

“Wrong Blackburn, my dear. I’m talking about Lucius Blackburn-“ (your name) spat out the tea and choked a bit. Lucius?! As in Trishan’s father?! “Are you alright?”

“Father, you can’t possibly- why?” (Your name) struggled to formulate words as a million questions ran through her brain. Engagement to Trishan’s father?! His father?!

“Well, he’s a much better man than his spawn. Don’t you think, my dear?” Count (last name) puffed his chest out in pride. “Plus he’s still quite fit despite his age-“

“Father!” (Your name) stood up, her being frazzled with bewilderment. “It hasn’t even been a week since my engagement was annulled and… that man is old enough to be my father!”

“But he would treat you well!”

(Your name) shook her head and was about to excuse herself from the table. How was she supposed to get her revenge if she now had to marry Trishan’s father?

(Your name) held her head while the gears began to turn in her head. Wait. This could work… she could use Lucius to her advantage.

“You’re right, father. How could I not see that before?” (Your name) bent down and pressed a kiss to her father’s cheek. “Thank you, daddy.”

The count was in shock before his whole face lit up. He was so happy to bring his daughter joy! She deserved to be happy!

.

.

.

Trishan threw a chair across his room in anger. His engagement had been annulled and his beloved was to marry his father?! No… this wasn’t how his second chance was supposed to work out! They were supposed to be happy together!

“Trishan?” Trishan’s blood went cold when he heard a familiar, feminine voice from outside his door. What was that snake doing here? “You haven’t replied to any of my letters and I’m really worried about you…”

Lies. That woman only wanted to become a Duchess and she had murdered (your name) in the past… was this her fault?

Trishan felt murderous intent drip throughout his veins as he stood up. Yes… this was Gia’s fault. If she didn’t exist… then (your name) would come back to him.

Trishan’s lips curved up in a demented smile. If he got rid of Gia then everything would fall back into place. Just like it was meant to.

“Wait for me darling… I’ll make everything right this time.”

[thsillystringbeanscribbler]

Bunny Slippers: Chapter Two

Summary: Julia shares the research John had asked her help with, giving the brothers a small insight into what led to their father disappearing. Is it possible that John not only put his sons in danger but also the Blackburns?

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader [ OC: Julia Blackburn ]

Warnings: mostly fluff with violence and angst, maybe slow burn

Word Count: 6,408 words

Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who enjoyed the previous chapter and for all your support. I hope this chapter is just as enjoyable for you! I have had this story in the drafts for a while, using it as an excuse to avoid doing my research proposal... Also s/o to Ness and my thesaurus

(gif from Pinterest)

The initial jolt of hearing the "Yellow-Eyed Demon" mentioned had sent a shockwave through Dean, but it quickly settled into a focused urgency. They fell into a rhythm, each leafing through the contents of Julia and John's collective research, a dance of minds across the pages.

Sam was absorbed in a notebook, the elegance of Julia's script weaving through the more rugged annotations of their father. Dean, positioned across the table, glanced intermittently between the lines of text and Julia, who was gracefully navigating the bookshelves in search of a volume Sam had inquired about. Her movements were a silent ballet, her curls keeping time with her search until she found her mark.

"Aha!" The sound was a soft triumph. Dean watched, a half-smile playing on his lips, as Julia stretched on her tiptoes, reaching for an ancient cloth-bound book just beyond her grasp.

Before she could concede to the shelf's height, Dean was on his feet, moving towards her. His fingers brushed hers as they both reached for the elusive book. "Let me help with that, short stuff," he offered, his voice low and playful.

Julia glanced over her shoulder, and as her eyes traced the path up his chest to meet his gaze, Dean realized just how close he was, her scent enveloping him like a sweet spell. "Actually," she murmured, her hand dropping away as she adjusted her glasses, "that would be great. Thank you."

His heart thrummed a more animated rhythm, and with an easy reach, he retrieved the book. Handing it to her, he didn't miss the brief flicker of her eyes to his arm and back to the book, a silent acknowledgment of his strength.

"There you go, just your friendly neighbourhood book retriever at your service," he quipped with a wink, handing her the tome. "But if you need someone to reach the high notes—or anything else—just let me know." His smile was as cheeky as his words, his flirtation unmistakable yet light-hearted, a playful offer hanging in the library air.

Julia's smile was a mix of amusement and a touch of bashfulness as she accepted the book from Dean. "My very own hero," she teased, giving him a playful shoulder bump that spoke of a burgeoning camaraderie. She then turned towards the table, eager to share her find with Sam.

As Julia started explaining the contents of the book to Sam, he listened intently, his expression a blend of professional interest and brotherly concern. He managed to sneak a quick, warning glare at Dean, silently urging him to tread carefully in this dance of flirtation and research.

As Julia excitedly shared her findings, the rhythmic sound of footsteps ascending the stairs punctuated the room's quiet buzz of concentrated study. Rob, appearing at the archway with a tray laden with sandwiches, announced his contribution to the day's efforts with a warm smile. "Since I couldn't assist with the bookwork, I thought I'd at least keep the researchers fed," he said, his voice carrying the comforting timbre of familial care.

"Thanks, Dad," Julia responded, her voice a mixture of gratitude and a touch of embarrassment as she shuffled papers around to make room for the food, surreptitiously concealing the more sensitive research materials from her father's unsuspecting gaze.

Rob's eyes swept over the trio, a smile of paternal pride playing on his lips as he witnessed their dedication. Dean, unable to resist the lure of a good sandwich, eagerly grabbed one, his actions bordering on comical in their haste.

Clearing his throat, Rob adopted a more conversational tone, "I'm off to the store for some dinner supplies," he announced casually, hands resting on his hips as if bracing for a light-hearted debate. "And I insist, you boys are staying over tonight. Julia's barely scratched the surface with what she's got to show you. For all I know, she's got an entire Encyclopedia Britannica of notes stashed away," he joked, affectionately ruffling Julia's hair, causing it to stand on end from the static. Julia, caught in the warmth of the moment, could only blush and smile, her heart swelling with love for her father.

Sam, always the diplomat, responded with a gentle sincerity that was characteristic of him. "Rob, that's incredibly generous of you, but we wouldn't want to overstay our welcome," he said, his voice infused with genuine concern for their imposition. He glanced at Dean, who was now trying to listen while simultaneously battling with the sandwich stuffed in his mouth, a silent plea for his brother to back him up.

Dean, momentarily pausing his enthusiastic eating, chimed in with his trademark blend of humor and charm. "Rob, you sure you know what you're signing up for here?" he quipped, a playful glint in his eye. "I mean, Sam's snoring could wake the dead, and I'm not exactly a light eater, as you can see." He gestured to the sandwich, now considerably diminished. "But if you're insisting, who are we to turn down such hospitality? Just prepare yourself for the full Winchester experience," Dean added, his tone light, yet laced with an underlying gratitude for the warmth and normalcy that Rob's invitation offered.Their focused discussion was interrupted by the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs. Rob appeared in the archway, his presence commanding yet affable. "I might not be of much use with the books, but I've prepared lunch downstairs. if you're all hungry," he announced with a warm smile.

Sam couldn't help but roll his eyes, a gesture laden with affection and exasperation, as Dean's antics continued. Their banter was interrupted by Rob's voice, brimming with amusement and a touch of challenge. "No worries, boys. I've had my fair share of tussles with Winchesters in the past," he declared with a playful wink, signaling his departure with the soft clatter of keys and the closing of the front door.

The trio settled into a comfortable silence, punctuated only by the sound of contented munching as they each enjoyed the sandwiches Rob had prepared. Julia, having claimed the last available seat beside Dean, quickly finished her meal and delved back into her research. She sifted through the piles of notes and books, determined to uncover any piece of information that could aid Sam and Dean in their quest.

As daylight began to wane, the boundaries between afternoon and evening blurred. Unnoticed by the trio, Rob returned, the soft sounds of dinner preparation echoing from the kitchen. In his absence, a seamless dynamic had formed among them: Sam, ever curious, peppered Julia with questions, while Dean contributed sporadically, often caught up in the fervor of Julia's animated explanations. Her hands danced through the air, accentuating her points with a flourish, her enthusiasm infectious.

The day's energy gradually dwindled, and the room fell into a serene quietude. Julia, now seated closer to Dean, was engrossed in an ancient tome, her fingers absentmindedly braiding a lock of her auburn hair as she concentrated. Dean watched, fascinated by the rhythmical dance of her fingers, the way they skillfully entwined her hair into a delicate braid only to gently unravel it moments later. A longing stirred within him to reach out, to brush her hair aside, to feel the softness of the braid beneath his fingertips. Yet, he restrained himself, his attention momentarily captured by the way Julia's hand paused, holding the braid in place, while the other turned the page, her focus unwavering. Dean's response was a wry smirk, his pen held lightly between his teeth, his arm casually resting on the back of Julia's chair, a silent observer to her studious fervour.

The evening had settled in fully now, the darkness outside pressing against the windows of the library. The room was bathed in the soft, amber glow of scattered lamps, casting long shadows between the rows of books. Julia, seated at the table, wrapped in the cocoon of their research, suddenly shivered, her skin pebbling with goosebumps. Dean, his arm casually resting across the back of her chair, noticed the subtle shake of her shoulders and the way she pulled her arms close.

"Hey, you cold?" Dean's voice was a low murmur, a gentle note of concern threading through it as he leaned in slightly, his hand moving instinctively to rub warmth back into her arms.

Julia offered a small nod, her teeth capturing her bottom lip in a fleeting gesture of discomfort. "Yeah, just a bit. I'll go grab my cardigan," she replied, her voice a mix of gratitude and a self-deprecating chuckle for her own vulnerability to the chill.

With a helpful nudge, Dean slid Julia's chair back, giving her space to stand. She moved with a swift purpose across the room, her form briefly silhouetted against the windows that opened onto the back terrace. As she reached the bookshelf lined wall that seemed nothing more than an elegant feature of the library, she revealed its secret—a door concealed within the bookcases. She opened it, the shelves swinging away with silent grace, and slipped through into the room beyond.

Dean's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the hidden passage, a flicker of astonishment crossing his face. "Sammy, check this out," he called out, a note of disbelief mixed with admiration in his voice, beckoning his brother to witness the unexpected twist in their surroundings.

A few heartbeats slipped by, the library humming with the quiet sound of ticking clocks and the soft rustling of pages. Then, the hidden door within the bookshelf swiveled open once more, and Julia stepped back into the library. She was now clad in a cozy red cardigan adorned with oversized brown buttons, her fingers lingering on the spine of a book as she gently nudged the secret door closed behind her.

When she turned, she was greeted by Sam and Dean, who were both staring at her with expressions of startled curiosity. Their eyes were wide, the sort of look that comes from boys who have seen countless wonders yet still find themselves surprised by new magic.

"What's wrong?" Julia asked, her voice tinged with amusement at their astonished faces.

Sam and Dean exchanged a look, their shock melting into boyish intrigue. "Wrong?" Sam echoed, his tone light with excitement. "That was just—well, that was awesome."

Dean, ever the one to embrace the unexpected with a mixture of charm and bravado, couldn't hide his grin. "I mean, secret doors? Hidden rooms?" he said, stepping closer to where Julia stood. "This is like something straight out of a mystery novel. You got any more surprises hidden in this place?" His voice was a mix of jest and genuine wonder, as if the discovery of the secret passageway had added another layer of intrigue to Julia herself.

Julia's laughter, light and musical, filled the room as she watched Dean's and Sam's reactions. "No, it doesn't lead to Narnia," she said with a wink, "just to my bedroom. Want a quick tour?" Without waiting for an answer, she reached for a book spine, pulling it to swing the door open once again.

They were greeted by a short hallway, its walls lined with various framed pictures and memorabilia. Directly across from the secret door was a small walk-in closet, and to their right, a door hinted at a bathroom. Julia led them to the left, towards her bedroom.

With a gentle push, Julia's bedroom door creaked open, and Dean stepped through the threshold into a world that was unmistakably Julia's. The room was a cozy sanctuary, walls painted in a rich, warm hue, adorned with shelves teeming with books, their spines a rainbow of worn colours and titles. A lush array of plants breathed life into the space, their leaves spilling over shelves and hanging pots, framing the window that looked out into the night.

The bed, a solid wood frame, was draped with a thick, multi-coloured quilt that spilled over the sides, its pattern reminiscent of the vibrant cover art of classic rock albums. Beside it, a nightstand held a small lamp, casting a warm glow over the room, and beneath it, a stack of classic rock CDs leaned against an old radio, their presence an echo of tunes that had undoubtedly filled the room many times over.

Posters of rock legends like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones graced the walls, their corners slightly curled from age, sharing space with intricate tapestries that softened the room with their texture. The scent of incense lingered faintly, mingling with the earthiness of the plants.

Dean took a moment to absorb the details, his eyes lingering on the details that spoke volumes about Julia's personality—a fusion of intellect, nature, and rock 'n' roll. "This is... pretty cool," Dean admitted, his voice low, as if speaking too loudly might disturb the tranquility of the space. "You've got great taste in music," he added, nodding towards the CDs with a grin.

Julia's reply came out in a bit of a jumble, the words tumbling over each other in a charming tangle. "Oh, uh—thanks," she managed, a blush creeping into her cheeks. She was just about to delve into a conversation with Dean when her father's voice, calling from the library, cut through their moment.

Back in the library, Rob stood framed in the archway, the light from the lamps casting a welcoming glow around him. "Hey, dinner's on the table, folks. Time to take a break and eat," he called out with an easy smile.

Julia's eyes lit up, a playful grin spreading across her face. "I'm so ready to eat, I could probably finish off the whole kitchen!" she exclaimed, her stomach seconding the motion with a well-timed grumble.

They watched as Rob retreated down the stairs, his footsteps echoing gently. Once he was out of earshot, Julia turned back to Sam and Dean, her expression shifting to one of urgency. "You guys head on down. I need to stash these papers away—Dad can't see this stuff," she said, her hands swiftly gathering the scattered documents into the folder she had used earlier to conceal their more secretive research.

The descent to the kitchen was a welcome break from the intensity of their research. Rob had prepared a simple yet hearty meal, filling the kitchen with the inviting aromas of homemade cuisine. The group gathered around the table, engaging in light, easy conversation that offered a brief respite from the weight of their task. There were laughs, shared stories, and an air of camaraderie that made the meal feel like a gathering of old friends rather than a recent acquaintanceship born of necessity.

After dinner, Sam and Rob, deep in discussion, migrated back to the living room, leaving Julia to start clearing the dishes. Dean, noticing her effort, felt a pull to lend a hand. He approached the sink where she was filling it with soapy water.

"Hey, let me give you a hand with that. Wouldn’t be right to enjoy your dad’s cooking and not help with the cleanup," Dean offered with a charming grin, rolling up his sleeves in preparation.

Julia looked up at him, her smile reflecting both surprise and appreciation. "That sounds like a plan. You wash, and I’ll dry," she proposed, her tone light and friendly.

As Dean plunged his hands into the sudsy water, he glanced at Julia and found an opening for a lighter conversation. "So, Van Halen, huh? Didn’t take you for a fan of the classics," he remarked, picking up a plate to wash.

Julia, drying a dish, chuckled softly. "Oh, I have a pretty eclectic taste in music, but yeah, Van Halen's definitely on the list. My dad and I used to jam to their tracks when I was a kid. It's like a time capsule of good memories," she shared, her eyes lighting up at the reminiscence.

"Can’t beat the classics," Dean agreed, his movements in sync with hers as they fell into a comfortable rhythm. "Their music's got this timeless edge, kind of like this place," he added, nodding subtly to the surrounding kitchen.

As they continued their task, Julia stood beside Dean, their arms occasionally brushing against each other. Each accidental touch sent a subtle current through the air, a silent acknowledgement of the chemistry building between them. The conversation flowed naturally, punctuated by shared smiles and brief glances, creating an atmosphere that was as warm and inviting as the kitchen they stood in.

As they worked side by side, Dean noticed Julia's striking green eyes and long lashes, focused on drying a plate. He remembered a photograph he had seen earlier on the mantelpiece, featuring a younger version of the people present, including a woman with auburn curls similar to Julia's. "That picture on the mantle, with your dad and my folks, that was your mom, wasn't it?" Dean inquired, trying to connect the dots.

Julia's lips curved into a small, proud smile. "You've got a sharp eye, Winchester," she replied, her pace slowing a bit as she engaged in the conversation.

Dean, curious yet cautious, ventured further. "And your mom? Where is she now?" he asked gently.

Julia paused, her gaze drifting to the courtyard visible through the kitchen window. "She... she passed away when I was eight," she said, a hint of sorrow in her voice. Before Dean could respond, she added, "It was a car accident."

Dean felt a pang of empathy, knowing all too well the pain of losing a parent at a young age. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said softly, his tone sincere. "Sam and I, we lost our mom too when I was just a kid. It's tough, losing someone like that.”

Julia glanced at Dean, her expression softening. "I'm really sorry you went through that too, losing your mom," she said gently, her hand reaching out to touch his arm in a comforting gesture. Dean offered a small smile, trying to play it cool despite the flutter in his chest from her touch.

As they wrapped up the kitchen duties, Julia handed the last dried plate to Dean along with the towel to dry his hands. "Here, looks like you might need this," she said with a light laugh, breaking the solemn mood.

Dean chuckled, drying his hands. "Thanks. You know, talking about Van Halen earlier got me thinking. What's your take on Led Zeppelin?" he asked, shifting the conversation to a lighter note as they started moving toward the living room.

Julia lit up at the change of topic. "Led Zeppelin? Now we're talking. 'Stairway to Heaven' is a masterpiece, but 'Kashmir' always gets me," she responded enthusiastically.

"Ah, 'Kashmir', that's a solid choice. I'm more of a 'When the Levee Breaks' guy myself," Dean admitted, as they lingered in the hallway, neither in a hurry to end their one-on-one time.

As they finally stepped into the living room to rejoin Sam and Rob, Dean and Julia shared a look, their eyes locking in a moment that seemed to stretch, charged with an unspoken understanding. The brief, intense connection was broken as they merged into the group, but the spark between them lingered in the air.

As they emerged into the living room, Dean and Julia exchanged a glance, their eyes holding a silent conversation that needed no words. It was a fleeting moment of connection, yet it seemed to hang between them, a subtle charge in the air that neither of them quite wanted to let go of.

They slipped into the flow of the evening seamlessly, their presence fitting into the ongoing conversation as if they had never stepped away. Laughter and the rich timbre of shared stories filled the room, the passage of time marked only by the deepening night outside.

Eventually, Rob glanced at the clock, a look of mild surprise crossing his face. "Well, I'll be—time's flown by," he commented with a chuckle, shaking his head in mild disbelief.

Julia, who had been captivated by Dean's animated recounting of a particularly wild hunt, was pulled back to the present by her father's words. She covered a yawn with her hand, the late hour catching up to her. "Guess it's about time to crash," she said, her words tinged with humour and a tired smile playing on her lips.

Everyone rose from their seats, stretching and sharing satisfied smiles after a night of good company. "All right, gentlemen, follow me. I'll show you where you'll be bunking tonight," Rob said, giving Sam a friendly pat on the back as he led the way to the stairs.

They all ascended the stairs, the soft murmur of their footsteps a contrast to the laughter that had filled the room moments before. At the second-floor landing, Julia paused, turning to the brothers with a gentle smile. "Good night," she offered, her voice soft, echoing the sweetness of the evening they had shared.

With a wave, she disappeared around the corner into her room, leaving the brothers to continue their ascent. Reaching the third floor, Rob pointed down the hall. "Your rooms are right over there. Mine's just back this way if you need anything," he said, giving them a nod before retreating to his own space and closing the door with a quiet click.

Dean and Sam each chose a door, finding themselves in rooms that mirrored each other in their simple, understated elegance. Dean's room was marked by deep, forest green walls that exuded a serene, calming energy. The solid wood bed frame was dressed in linens of a matching green hue, and a knitted throw lay casually at the foot of the bed. A bedside table held a vintage lamp, its warm light inviting a sense of peace. A single, potted plant added a touch of life to the room, its leaves gently rustling in the night breeze that whispered through a slightly ajar window.

Dean set his bag down, taking in the room with an appreciative nod. "Not too shabby," he remarked to himself, a low whistle of approval escaping him. He glanced around, noting the lack of his usual motel-room amenities but also the unique charm of this place. "Gotta say, this beats the usual digs on the road," he mused aloud, even though only the walls could hear him. With a final glance at the room that felt unexpectedly like a home, Dean allowed himself a rare moment of relaxation before he prepared to call it a night.

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The morning light was a subtle intruder, sneaking through the narrow breach between the curtains, and it was the soft rapping at his door that finally stirred Dean from his slumber. The familiar cadence of a gentle knock, followed by a voice he was quickly growing fond of, coaxed him awake.

"Dean? You decent in there? I've got coffee," Julia's voice was soft but clear through the door, tinged with a laughter that hadn't quite bubbled to the surface.

"Yeah, come on in," Dean called back, his voice gruff with sleep but warm with invitation.

The door creaked open, and Julia peeked around it with caution, a visual check to save them both any embarrassment. Dean took in the sight of her, looking just as effortlessly charming as she had the day before. Her hair was swept up into a bun that defied the laws of gravity, and she was swathed in an oversized Van Halen t-shirt paired with flannel Batman pajama pants tucked into tube socks—one white, one grey—topped off with pink bunny slippers. It was an ensemble that Dean found unexpectedly endearing.

She tiptoed over to where he sat up in bed, the covers sliding to his waist to reveal the lean muscles of his torso. Julia's eyes briefly danced across his skin, the blush on her cheeks deepening, before she averted her gaze to the safety of the coffee mug. "Heard you might be hitting the road soon," she said, her eyes finding his again. "Figured you could use a caffeine kick to start your day."

Dean accepted the mug, the steam curling up to mingle with the stubble on his chin. He took a sip, the rich flavor hitting all the right notes. "Mmm, that's perfect. You're a lifesaver, Julia." He winked, the gesture softening the rugged lines of his face. "This is exactly what I needed.”

A bashful grin spread across Julia's face as Dean's wink sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. With a nervous little push of her glasses up the bridge of her nose, she began to retreat from the room.

"I–uh, I should..." she stammered, her words trailing off as her eyes inadvertently drifted back to Dean's uncovered chest. The close encounter with Dean's rugged appeal was unexpectedly disarming, and in a flustered haste to regain her composure, she moved to leave more quickly. "I've got to get ready for the day, so, see you out there," Julia rushed the words, nearly tripping over them as she made her swift exit, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

Left alone in the quiet room, Dean couldn't help but let a self-satisfied smirk creep across his lips. There was something gratifying about this mutual, unspoken attraction, the way they both seemed to fumble a little in each other's presence. He took another sip of his coffee, the warmth of the brew a perfect echo of the heat that had risen in his cheeks from their exchange.

The aroma of sizzling bacon guided Dean down the staircase, the rich, inviting scent a herald of the morning's feast. As he entered the kitchen, he found Rob and Sam already embroiled in a hearty conversation. The absence of Julia was a silent note in the room, leaving Dean with an anticipation he wasn't fully willing to acknowledge.

"Morning," Rob greeted him with a friendly nod, serving up another portion of bacon onto a plate already heaping with eggs. "Hope the bed was comfortable."

Dean nodded, taking in the spread on the kitchen table. "Yeah, slept like a rock, thanks. You guys sure know how to make a guest feel at home," he replied, the corners of his mouth lifting in appreciation as he piled his own plate high with breakfast.

"You tuck in, Dean. Julia'll be joining us shortly," Rob assured him, the clatter of utensils against the plates punctuating his words.

Sam chimed in from across the table, his attention momentarily drifting from the conversation he was having with Rob. "Yeah, make yourself at home, Dean. We're not exactly in a rush this morning," he said, his own plate a more measured portion, indicative of his methodical nature.

The usual backdrop of Led Zeppelin was absent that morning, replaced by the low hum of familial chatter. The calm was pleasantly disrupted when Julia made her entrance, her presence as much a jolt to the room as caffeine. She was dressed in a pair of high-waisted denim flares that hugged her frame before flaring out dramatically past the knee, paired with a fitted ringer tee that featured a Styx band logo across the chest. Her hair was kept back with a simple headband, her scholarly glasses framing her bright eyes as she walked in with a bounce in her step.

"Morning," Julia greeted the room with a chipper tone, her voice infusing a burst of energy as she went about compiling her breakfast with a certain cheerfulness. She couldn't resist snagging an extra strip of bacon from the platter, biting into it with a satisfied grin as she took her seat.

"So, you boys thinking of hitting the road today?" Rob inquired, glancing over at the brothers as he took a sip of his coffee.

Sam leaned back in his chair, considering their schedule. "We've got a bit of a drive ahead of us, but we're in no hurry. Gonna enjoy breakfast first," he said, his tone easy and relaxed, indicative of their momentary respite from the road.

Dean, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying the pancakes and bacon before him, but from the moment Julia entered, his gaze intermittently drifted her way. Her casual, unassuming charm was a stark contrast to the intensity they shared earlier, and he couldn't help but be drawn to it, his eyes following her every move until she caught him looking and offered him a warm smile.

The remnants of breakfast lay scattered across the table—a testament to the good food and better company. Dean pushed his chair back, the wooden legs scraping gently against the floor, and gave Sam a firm pat on the back. "Alright, Sammy, time to hit the road," he announced, his voice carrying a slight edge of reluctance.

Rob nodded in understanding as they all moved towards the front door, the echoes of their morning together still hanging in the air. "Sounds like you boys have got places to be," Rob observed, a hint of a fatherly tone to his voice.

Standing in the entryway, Dean extended his hand to Rob, gripping it firmly. "Rob, you've been great. Thanks for the hospitality, and, you know, for not asking too many questions," he said with a half-grin.

Rob returned the handshake with equal firmness. "You fellas ever find yourselves back in this neck of the woods, you stop on by. We'll have ourselves a little catch-up over dinner," he replied, clapping Sam on the shoulder with a warm smile.

Before they could step out, Julia's voice cut in, "Oh shoot, wait up!" In a flurry of motion, she dashed upstairs, leaving Dean and Sam exchanging a puzzled look.

Moments later, Julia bounded back down with a folder in hand, which she eagerly extended to Dean. Their fingers brushed as he took it from her, a jolt of connection sparking between them at the touch. Julia's blush was immediate and vivid, her eyes darting away as she stepped back. "It was, uh, really nice meeting you," she said, her voice a mix of earnestness and nerves as she fumbled with her glasses.

Dean, holding the folder now, allowed his eyes to linger on hers a moment longer. "Julia, the pleasure was all mine," he said with that signature Winchester smirk, "And thanks for the intel—looks like we owe you one."

As they walked out onto the porch, Julia leaned against the doorway, her voice carrying down to where Dean stood by the sleek black Impala. "Don't forget, I get a ride in this beast next time!"

Dean turned, his smile as bright as the morning sun. "It's a deal, Juliet. I'll even let you pick the music," he called back, the promise hanging in the air like a vow.

Sliding into the driver's seat, Dean caught the amused yet exasperated expression on Sam's face. "You're ridiculous, you know that?" Sam said, the words light but pointed, a brotherly tease that carried all the history of their shared lives.

Dean just chuckled, sliding the key into the ignition. "Jealousy's not a good look on you, Sammy," he retorted, already looking forward to the road ahead—and the promise of returning.

–––––––––––––––––––––––OoOoO----------––––––––––––––––––

Months had slipped by since their last visit to the Blackburns, each day filled with the unrelenting rhythm of the hunt. Now, a new case on the East Coast presented the perfect opportunity to reconnect with their newfound allies. Remembering Julia's number, which he had wisely secured during their previous encounter, Sam turned down the volume of the rock anthem blaring through the Impala's speakers, much to Dean's chagrin, and dialled the number.

"Hey Julia, it's Sam," he spoke into the phone, his voice carrying a blend of professionalism and the warmth of a burgeoning friendship.

Dean's attention, previously focused on the road, sharpened at the mention of Julia's name. The memory of her – the wild auburn curls, the vivid green eyes, her eclectic taste in music, and her infectious passion for knowledge – had a way of occupying his thoughts in the quieter moments between hunts.

From his side of the phone, Sam's smile grew at whatever Julia was saying on the other end. "We're heading your way for a case and thought we'd call ahead before showing up at your doorstep," he said, only to be interrupted by Julia's response.

Chuckling softly, Sam replied, "Thanks, Julia. We appreciate it. See you in a few hours."

Dean, who had been following the conversation with increasing anticipation, couldn't contain his curiosity. "What'd she say?" he asked, his voice a mix of eagerness and an attempt at nonchalance.

Sam turned to Dean, a knowing look in his eyes. "She's invited us for dinner and offered to let us stay the night," he revealed.

Dean's eyebrows rose in surprise, a hint of excitement flashing across his features. "Well, that's unexpected. Guess we're having dinner at the Blackburns'," he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Sam nodded, turning his gaze back to the road ahead. "Yeah, and it's good timing too. We could use a friendly place to crash, and it'll be nice to catch up with them. Especially after all the help they gave us."

Dean nodded in agreement, his mind already racing ahead to the evening. The prospect of seeing Julia again added an unexpected but not unwelcome dimension to their impromptu visit. As the Impala ate up the miles, the brothers settled into a comfortable silence, each lost in their thoughts about the case ahead and the reunion to come.

Early afternoon had found Sam reaching out to Julia, the day still ripe with potential. But as the Impala cruised into Boston, the city was cloaked in the hues of a setting sun, casting long shadows and painting the skyline in shades of orange and purple. When they finally pulled up in front of the Blackburn residence, dusk was settling in, the day's light fading fast.

Stepping out of the car, the Winchester brothers approached the house, the familiar steps creaking slightly under their weight. Dean's gaze swept over the red-brick façade, noting how the warm glow of the setting sun played off the building's features. The once vibrant wisterias had transitioned into less leafy, more dormant vines, a testament to the changing seasons.

Reaching the front door, Dean moved ahead to knock, his hand raised. But as his knuckles made contact, he felt an unsettling give in the door. His eyes narrowed, observing the signs of forced entry—the door had been broken in.

Motioning for Sam to close in, Dean's hand instinctively went to the gun tucked in the waistband of his jeans, his movements swift and practiced. Sam, understanding the unspoken signal, mirrored his brother's caution, his own hand inching towards his weapon.

Together, they slipped into their well-rehearsed hunting stances, a silent dance of readiness honed by years of facing the unknown. With a gentle nudge, the door swung open, its creak breaking the eerie silence that enveloped the house.

Inside, the quiet was almost tangible, a heavy stillness that set every one of their trained senses on edge. Dean took a cautious step forward, his eyes scanning the dimly lit interior for any sign of movement, any hint of what might have transpired within these walls. Sam followed close behind, his gaze darting to the shadows that lurked in the corners of the entrance hall.

The familiar warmth and charm of the Blackburn residence now felt like a distant memory, replaced by a palpable sense of danger and the unknown. They moved forward, each step a blend of caution and readiness, prepared for whatever they might find.

Stealthily, the Winchester brothers made their way into the dimly lit interior of the Blackburn residence. The entry hallway, to their relief, seemed undisturbed, a calm front to the storm they feared lay within. They moved forward with practiced silence, every sense attuned to their surroundings.

Suddenly, a loud crash from the second floor shattered the stillness, jolting them into high alert. Exchanging a glance, they wordlessly agreed to investigate. With cautious steps, they ascended the stairs, each creak underfoot sounding thunderous in the eerie silence.

Reaching the second floor landing, they were greeted by the last remnants of dusk light streaming through the bay window. The scene that unfolded before them was one of chaos. The once meticulously organized room was now a landscape of destruction. Shelves had been toppled, their contents strewn across the floor in a wild disarray. Drawers and cupboards had been violently emptied, their innards scattered without care.

Amid the wreckage, they heard the sound of frustrated rustling. Dean, gun in hand but aimed safely at the ground, cautiously stepped further into the room. Peering around a corner, his gaze landed on a towering figure standing by the large window overlooking the terrace. The figure's build and presence were unmistakably those of Rob Blackburn.

"Rob?" Dean called out tentatively, his voice laced with a mix of concern and caution.

At the sound of his name, the dark form of Rob whirled around to face Dean. The warm, inviting eyes they had known were now an abyssal black, cold and unyielding. It was a jarring sight—their ally, transformed into something sinister.

As Dean stood there, staring at the unnaturally black eyes of the man they had come to know as an ally, a chilling thought cut through the tension: Where is Julia? Her safety suddenly became the most pressing concern in his mind, overshadowing even the immediate threat of the demon before them.

"Where's Julia?" Dean demanded, his voice firm, his weapon still pointed safely at the ground but his stance ready for any sudden moves. The question wasn't just a tactical one; it was personal, fueled by a concern that had grown deeper than he'd initially realized.

The demon inhabiting Rob's body let out a low, menacing chuckle, a sound that was all the more unsettling coming from Rob's familiar frame. "Worried about the girl, are we?" it taunted, its voice a twisted echo of Rob's.

Dean's jaw clenched, a mix of anger and worry flashing in his eyes. He exchanged a quick, meaningful glance with Sam. They both knew that finding Julia was now their top priority, but they also couldn't ignore the demon standing before them.

The situation had escalated beyond a simple hunt. It was personal, and the stakes were higher than ever. The brothers needed to navigate this carefully – one wrong move could put Julia in even more danger.

To be continued . . .

Chapter Three

[gloriadenton]

For the writing meme the first part of Little White Mysteries

OKAY ALL RIGHT. I am very fond of this one.

“I’ve been thinking,” Audrey said, “about the ring.” As a reader, I've noticed that I really like dialogue-forward cold openings, so I was trying that out here. I found it particularly helpful as someone who gets in their head about how much exposition they need to provide at the beginning of a fic, particularly in canon divergence AUs that are set someone after the divergence itself, and I really liked how opening this way freed me up to do scene and then context with Annie Blackburn had put a green signet ring on the finger of a man with Cooper’s face a few paragraphs later.

I also just really like writing Audrey's dialogue and the way she introduces topics is very conductive to that kind of opening, I feel.

They were parked between the cherry trees out by the lake, and Cooper had left the headlamps on so the blossoms in front of the car would shine pink under the halogen as they swayed in the night. I spent a lot of time looking at photography of cherry trees at night when I was writing this scene; I love that very particular contrast between the pink and the black that you get in certain lighting conditions and I feel like it's a good fit for Audrey/Cooper in that it's slightly uncanny yet still very romantic.

Out of the darkness overhead, a petal floated down onto the hood of the car, and Cooper felt a drifting caress along the collar of his shirt, as if Audrey had seen the petal and decided that was just how she wanted her touch to land too. I have a bit of an obsession with writing about Audrey's hands, because I feel like she has a very specific way of using them and it's one of my favourite physical traits.

“Guess it made me think about how they can keep you places,” she said, with another warm hitch of her fingertips. Cooper thought about the similarities between stone and stone: a hunk of jade, a pillar holding up a cave. When I was thinking about what a marriage proposal would look like for Audrey and Cooper, I thought both of them would be very attuned to marriage being something more mystical and elemental than a social convention. I used some of the metaphysical properties of the Owl Cave ring to hint at this, and also to try and avoid some of the standard beats of proposal scenes which didn't seem specific enough to Audrey/Cooper.

Audrey turned her head to look at him, and Cooper saw how her pupils were blown wide to let in the night, like the eyes of a fox in the road. Cooper often focuses on Audrey's vulnerability, but I also like writing little observations where he sees how open and attuned she is to the world around her, which I think he really vaues and admires in her even if he also worries for her.

There were hundreds of petals under the car, and Cooper would have knelt down in them for Audrey the first night they came here, if he’d had any right to make that kind of claim on her. But also I wanted to make this scene really, really romantic, because that's who they are, and I love the excess of cherry blossom season, so I went back to this here to move the scene back towards what is (hopefully!) typical Lynch romance with an edge.

[tenebraevesper]

Five Nights at Freddy's: Salvaged, Night 1: Replay Your Nightmare

''In a loop inside the screen, your own prison in a dream. Try to run and try to scream, even death can't save you – we replay your nightmare.''

– Replay Your Nightmare by TryHardNinja ft. Thora Daughn (Ultimate Custom Night)

xXxXxXx

''That's what you get for leaving me hanging!''

''Seriously?!'' The girl threw up her hands as she watched the black screen, showing her that she got a Game Over. ''I died to Toy Freddy?! How could I die to Toy Freddy? Didn't I check on him? I did!''

She was fuming as she went back to the menu, which was showing her the 50/20 Mode of Ultimate Custom Night. She groaned in annoyance, knowing just how close she was to finally winning the game. It took her ages to even get this far.

''I guess I have no other choice but to try it again,'' Sam muttered. Her actual name was Samantha Blackburn, but she usually went by Sam. She was a teen with brown hair and brown eyes, turning 17 this summer. She was wearing a black T-shirt and jeans, her purple and black jacket being draped over the swivel chair. A small desk fan was whirring next to her laptop, cooling her. She took a look at the smartphone next to it, noticing that at least four hours had passed since she got on her laptop and started to play the game. Deciding to take one more turn, she put the headphones on and started the game.

It was a little weird though, if intriguing. In the past year, several games came out, as well as an official website featuring them, all bearing the title Five Nights at Freddy's. They were made by an obscure indie game developer and were supposedly based on the urban legend surrounding the restaurant known as Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. On the surface, the games had you playing as a night guard in an old pizzeria, where you would fend off the animatronics who would attempt to stuff you in a suit, thinking you were just an endoskeleton. However, the more you investigated the game's lore, the more obvious it became that there was a lot more to the story.

A few months ago, the company Fazbear Entertainment took the games and the website down, making a post about how the developer (if she remembered well, his name was Scott) was trying to tarnish the company's reputation with those games. He had been discredited and even called a crazy lunatic, or something like that. Nevertheless, Sam managed to make copies of the games and store them, so she could play them to her heart's content, even though she was annoyed that they took them down. She could understand their reasoning though.

Apparently, more than 30 years ago, at least five children have gone missing on the premises of the restaurant and were presumed dead, even though their bodies have never been found. It was quite a tragedy. However, playing through the games showed that, what was known as the Missing Children Incident, was just one of the many tragedies that occurred at Freddy's and how the lore was much deeper and darker than what most people were aware of.

Still, it was just a game, wasn't it? It was quite ridiculous to think that a soul could possess an animatronic or that the murderer had been experimenting with some substance called remnant, which would bind a soul to said animatronic. It was ludicrous and Fazbear Entertainment was aware of that. They even announced a VR game that would parody the games made by the ''crazy lunatic'' and show that those games were nothing more but a stupid rumor.

Nevertheless, Sam was really intrigued by the games. She loved urban legends based on real events and would investigate them, trying to find out whether they were true or a hoax. She also spent a lot of her free time writing down everything she knew about the games and making up theories. She even had several files for each game, all filled with theories and speculations.

However, her interest in Freddy's dark history didn't start with the games. It actually started with Fazbear's Fright, a horror attraction based on the old urban legends that was supposed to open about two years ago. Being too curious for her own good, Sam figured that she could get a little preview of what would await her in the horror attraction, but was chased away by the night guard, an old man who looked like he had been through Hell. However, she managed to get a glimpse of an animatronic that was brought there; a golden-green withered bunny with a ripped ear and a slasher smile.

Then, it happened. The horror attraction was burned to the ground, supposedly due to faulty wires. However, only a few months later, a new location opened. It was a renewed Freddy Fazbear's Pizza restaurant and this time, Sam actually got to spend time there. She loved the place and the animatronics, feeling like she traveled back in time, when Freddy's was at its heyday. Nowadays, other restaurants would chuck out the robots and costumes in favor of animated mascots on big screens, who would be singing to the kids or advertise the merch. Perhaps people liked the animated version more, but Sam felt that nothing could top a real animatronic. There was something fascinating about them.

Nevertheless, even after visiting the place, she just had to snoop around once again. She sneaked into the back alley, seeing two men trying to take a withered animatronic inside. Before she could get a good look at the animatronic (she did remember that it had green fur), one of the men chased her away. What did strike her as odd was that he was wearing bandages under his purple shirt and some of the bandages even covered his face, which was obscured by a cap. She guessed that he had been in an accident that caused bad burns on his body or something similar. The location didn't last long anyways, as it was burned down in a blazing inferno.

Nobody had an idea what happened and the only answer she had were those games that came a while later. She didn't know whether she could trust the lore, as it was a little unsettling that someone might know so much about what was going on at Freddy's. It was a lot easier to conclude that the creator of the games took the story of Freddy's and just let his imagination run wild.

''Hallelujah!'' Sam felt like screaming after hearing the GAME WIN fanfare come up. She couldn't believe she managed to beat 50/20 Mode. She wanted to cry, after all the deaths she went through.

However, her celebration was cut short when she realized that the game was done. An empty feeling spread through her chest, the kind where you would ask yourself ''and now what?''. She played through all the games, managed to get all the achievements, found all the secret messages and now she had nothing else to do. She could keep on theorizing though, since the lore was still quite confusing.

When it came to Ultimate Custom Night, her theory was that it was actually William Afton's Hell, Afton being the one who killed the children. His soul was trapped inside it, forced to endure eternal punishment for what he had done, being effectively killed by his own creations. It was a vicious cycle, one he couldn't escape.

Sam frowned. Ultimate Custom Night was supposed to be unbeatable, right? Yet, she beat it. Now, what would happen to the poor soul who managed to beat it? Would they move on or still be stuck inside it? Would their soul be free to roam once again among the living?

Sam looked at the time on her smartphone and figured she could go to Ricky's Wonder Shack. While she didn't really have an opinion on their pizza, she did like their milkshakes. It was also a good place to think about the Five Nights at Freddy's lore.

xXx

The man ran his fingers through his dark hair, his dark, cold eyes being empty as he anticipated another death. Every animatronic in this building was after him. The sleeves of his purple shirt were rolled up, showing the scars on his arms. He was slowly losing hope for surviving this night.

He could feel their eyes on him. He knew that it was impossible to escape them.

It's over.

He was suddenly startled by the fanfare that played whenever the night was over. He won.

William stood up, the office surrounding him being engulfed by the darkness. He looked around, but there was nothing. He wondered whether this was his prize for dying over and over again in the most brutal ways.

His eye caught the sudden appearance of a new animatronic. It was a golden bear with a black bowtie and a top hat.

Fredbear? No, it's Golden Freddy.

He watched Golden Freddy twitching violently, reminding of the time he let the Spring Bonnie suit snap and tear into his body. The animatronic slowly faded away, the glow in his eyes perishing. Then, he was gone.

Am I finally free?

He shielded his eyes as he was almost blinded by the bright light. Once it subsided, he discovered, much to his dismay, that he was back at the office. Not only that, but there were no animatronics. He already had a bad feeling about this. He walked over to the monitor and looked at it. None of the animatronics were active.

He punched the desk in frustration, realizing that he would be starting this whole Hell all over again. Even if he survived the night, in the long run, it would never end.

''Let me out of here!''

He sat down, feeling exhausted. He could scream and cry as much as he wanted, but he couldn't escape this Hell. There were times he wanted to murder someone for putting him through this, only to be reminded that this was the reason why he was here in the first place. He had no business tampering with life and therefore he would pay with his own soul.

''He's here, and always watching, the one you shouldn't have killed.''

''Seeing you powerless is like music to me.''

''I am given flesh, to be your tormentor.''

He fell on his knees, clutching his head. He could hear their voices, over and over again, taunting him. Even if they weren't here, he would still hear them.

''Shut up…'' he whispered.

''THIS TIME, THERE'S MORE THAN AN ILLUSION TO FEAR.''

''I AM HERE TO CLAIM... WHAT IS LEFT OF YOU.''

''This is how it feels, and now you get to experience it over, and over, and over again... forever. I will never let you leave.''

''SHUT UP!''

The office was empty, but he knew that they were observing him. There was no pity, but there was no joy either. They were watching and waiting, stalking him. They would replay this nightmare until he has lost all of his sanity and even then, they wouldn't be satisfied. He knew that. He knew that not even the torment they executed upon him could satisfy them.

''It's me…''

He felt something wet and sticky. Looking down at his hands, he saw blood dripping from them. His dark eyes widened in fear and he whimpered.

''Please… no…''

He felt hollow. The man he was once before was gone. Whatever was left of him was just a broken vessel. He was forsaken, left to suffer in this cursed state.

He suddenly broke into a mad laughter. He knew that he deserved this. They would remind him over and over again that he deserved even a worse fate than this. Even the one who masterminded this Hell wasn't satisfied with the cruel punishments, but it didn't matter. William knew that the spirit had moved on a while ago, leaving their creations to play with him.

The hollow feeling spread through his chest once again. His vision went blurry as the blood he hallucinated faded. He closed his eyes, lowering his head, feeling bitter and disgusted with himself. For all the torture he experienced, he had been given time to reflect on all his mistakes and atrocities. He was aware that what he had done was beyond forgiveness and how this was the end of him.

All he wanted was to simply leave.

''I'll do anything…'' he whispered, opening his eyes.

''Anything?''

xXx

Sam enjoyed her strawberry milkshake, sitting alone in a booth and playing on her phone. She would sometimes glance at the other visitors, but what had her attention were the animatronics that would periodically perform on the stage. A person in a costume was also walking around, dancing and singing along whenever the animatronics had a pause.

This place was known as Ricky's Wonder Shack, a restaurant that also had an arcade area. It opened recently and the owner of the franchise, Wolfrun Corporation, was quickly recognized as a rival to Fazbear Entertainment. However, the restaurant proved to be a lot more popular than its rival, mostly thanks to the shady past of Fazbear Entertainment. So far, if you didn't count the one or the other kid that got lost and found or the patron who spilled their food over themselves, there were no incidents. Parents considered it safe enough to let their kids run wild and the kids didn't care about anything as long as they got their food or could spend their money on the games in the arcade area.

Ricky's Wonder Shack seemed to be also one of the few restaurants that put money into their animatronics and it showed. The animatronics were brand new and had no issues, with the company behind the animatronics ensuring they were 100% safe… unlike some other company's mascots. Yes, Sam read that comment on their website when they advertised their animatronics. Speaking of which, the animatronics that seemed to be the pride of Wolfrun Corporation were about to finish their performance.

One of them was Max the Swashbuckling Cat animatronic. He looked like a tabby cat, wearing boots, a belt and a huge hat with a feather on the top. On his belt was a cutlass which he could easily draw. He seemed to be some kind of storyteller, appealing to kids with stories of adventures and fantasy. He also reminded Sam of Puss in Boots, with her guessing that he was probably based on that character.

The second animatronic was Dahlia the Swan, an elegant white swan animatronic with humanoid features. She was dressed in a blue tutu with a white and blue sparkly bodice, blue ballet shoes and a silver tiara on the top of her head. It was obvious that Dahlia was a ballerina and created to appeal to young girls, with Sam figuring that she perhaps had a Swan Lake theme.

The third animatronic was Quentin the Hedgehog, a humanoid brown hedgehog wearing a black leather jacket. He was holding a red guitar and his black quills were styled into a mullet. Sam had no clue what was the idea behind Quentin, guessing they just wanted to throw in another character.

The fourth animatronic was Virgil the Owl, a grey and brown owl animatronic who was operating the prize corner. Wearing a black cap with a tassel, he would give children the prizes they wanted, all while telling them random facts about history and life.

And lastly, there was Ricky Wolfrun, the main mascot. He was a grey wolf with a white tuft of hair, wearing a blue vest and holding a silver microphone. Sam had to admit that he looked really cute and how his creators did their best to make him as appealing to everyone as possible. She also noticed that, whenever the animatronics were finished with their performance, the curtains would close and Ricky would step off the stage, walking into a room in the back. After a few minutes, he would emerge, but this time moving more fluidly and would interact with the patrons. Sam knew that this was probably a worker who was paid to put on the costume and pretend that he was Ricky.

All in all, the place was quite successful and people even nicknamed the animatronic band Ricky and the Misfits, which later became their official band name. The atmosphere was quite relaxing and the company made it clear that the idea of using animatronics as entertainers would still last.

''I hope you're enjoying yourself!''

Sam looked up from her phone, only to see Ricky himself addressing her in a husky voice. He tilted his head.

''Yeah, I am,'' Sam replied, lifting her half-empty milkshake.

''I am glad to hear that. In order to make your experience even more pleasant, we are giving out free coupons today for the food. Would you like one?'' Ricky showed her the coupons.

''Thanks,'' Sam said as she took the coupon, with Ricky saluting and leaving her. She was already thinking about ordering another milkshake and getting 25% off coupon was a steal. She leaned back, feeling that nothing could ruin her day or even the rest of her summer holidays.

She looked at her phone, reading the files about the animatronics from Five Nights at Freddy's. As much as Ricky's Wonder Shack was safe and accident-free, she loved the lore of Five Nights at Freddy's even more. She imagined what Ricky and his friends would be doing during the night. Perhaps, they also had a dark secret and would actually attempt to murder the night guard after hours. Her imagination ran wild with this one. She then sighed.

It's still a story based on a tragedy. It is better now that everything has ended.

xXx

William stood up, confused as the office vanished, replaced by the darkness. The voice he heard was nothing like all the voices he heard before. It was gentle and velvet, yet it sounded incredibly self-satisfied.

''Who are you?'' William asked, looking around.

''An entity a mere soul cannot comprehend.''

The voice seemed to be coming from everywhere. William gave up on pin-pointing the owner of the voice and just listened.

''What do you want?'' he asked.

''Someone vouched for your soul… Someone decided to allow you to return and finish what you started.''

''What?''

''You can take either path and face atonement or annihilation, depending on your actions.''

William had a bad feeling about this one. It sounded like one of those ''selling your soul to the Devil'' stories, even though he had no idea whether he was talking to the Devil, or to something much worse. He felt reluctant, as he didn't know what was going on nor who decided to let him leave. However, a voice inside his head screamed for him to accept. If he accepted, he would be able to escape this nightmare. If he refused, he would be put back to that office he desperately attempted to escape. In the end, he felt that he had no choice.

''I always come back, don't I?''

The entity remained silent.

Links:

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#Five Nights at Freddy's: The Untold Story (Masterlist)

[timesimmer]

Blackburne Household

"Is it really that simple?" Elsa said, getting up from her seat. "Putting your wants before others."

"It should be, especially when he is trying to force you to marry for his own greed," Edward said, taking a step closer to her.

Elsa brought her hand to cover her face as she felt the tears prick her eyes. "I don't want this life, Edward. I don't want someone deciding what my fate is to be."

He placed his hands on her shoulders, leaning down to catch her gaze. "That won't be your life. We'll leave together."

She started to cry, and he brought her into a tight embrace, running his hands through her hair as he felt her grip on him tighten. He felt her turn her face into his neck and felt her breath tickle his skin as she spoke, "I've wanted to see that meadow of flowers near your home ever since you described them to me."

He let out a laugh as he pulled down to look at her. "I'll take you there," he said.

Edward watched as her eyes moved from his lips to his eyes again and again. Before he could stop himself, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss against her lips. He half expected her to push him away. Instead, she pulled him slightly closer. As he held her in his arms, he dreamed of their future. He knew that they hadn't seen the last of her brother's wrath, but after some time, he would have to accept her choice. They would live a life of their own choosing.

[dioles-writes]

•OC FIC: DIOLES•

Masterlist | Characters: Felix (he/him), Winola (she/her), January (he/him), Maddox (he/him), Akali (he/him), Avil (she/her), Alzena (she/her), Nyssa (she/her), Astley (he/they), Rory (they/she), Kuali’i (he/him), Wilder (he/him), Gunther (he/him), Adelio (they/he), Bliss (she/her), Mr Prader (he/him), Cora (she/her), Reagan (she/her)

Characters in blue all belong to @jiphenn

“Excited?”

Bliss smiled at Felix, stepping closer to him. She wasn’t in uniform yet, her short hair pulled back by barrettes. He grinned at her, already feeling jittery. “Mhm.”

Bliss glanced around, watching the cast members prepare for the play, but she seemed more subdued than usual. It was obvious something was bothering her.

“You nervous?” He asked. Bliss turned away from him, frowning slightly. “I’m not, but someone else is.” She motioned over to Kuali’i.

He was staring off into space, his expression unreadable. Bliss’ eyebrows furrowed. “He’s usually really confident but something’s up with him today.”

Kuali’i didn’t even seem to notice their staring, too wrapped up in his own thoughts. People bumped past him, but it was like they weren’t even there.

Felix hummed thoughtfully. This was his last year here, so maybe that was the reason for the nerves. And the vaccine did come out tomorrow, which was when they would find out if January was telling the truth about knowing how to hack their files…

“I’m probably just overthinking it.” Bliss elbowed him playfully, pulling him out of his thoughts with another smile. This one was genuine. “It’s fine, tonight will go perfectly.” She reassured him. Standing with her, he was sure it would be fine. Kuali’i was probably just stressed for no reason. And after this would be Winter Break, where he finally would get to relax. The whole Board Game Club was going over to January’s for a sleepover. He had nothing to worry about. Life was actually peaceful, for once.

A few minutes later, now fully dressed up in costume, Felix peered through the curtains, looking out at the crowd. It was completely packed. The theatre was filled to the brim, people whispering amongst each other. He saw Reagan and Paisley sitting in the front row, Reagan looking more anxious than Kuali’i had been.

“Nervous?”

Kuali’i stood behind him, putting a hand gently on his shoulder. “No,” he smirked up at him. “Are you?”

Kuali’i just grinned. “Nope.” He said it with so much confidence that Bliss’ judgement of him being nervous was now hard to believe. He was back to his usual smiling self.

“Excited, then?”

“Yeah!” Kuali’i’s smile grew wider. “We’ve all been working so hard so I know we’ll do great.”

“Okay, is everyone ready?” He could hear Mr. Blackburn calling out to everyone backstage. “Starting scene with Alard and Amanda, so the wind instruments get ready!”

Kuali’i fixed his hair one last time before waving goodbye to Felix. “That’s my cue to go, good luck!” And with that he ran off.

The play ran smoothly all the way to the start of the second act.

Felix’s big moment had come. He strapped into his harness quickly, getting into place. His first lines were delivered with ease. It was all going perfectly, just like Bliss had said.

“This is why humans and Dioles can never get along! All you care about are your own selfish ideals!” Desiree’s actor shouted with passion.

Felix scoffed. “Are you not the same?”

“No.” She retorted with disgust. “Because unlike you, we humans have a heart! You Dioles will always be nothing but heartless monsters.”

Felix felt himself begin to lift in the air. This was it. The percussion started building, the band growing louder and louder. This was what he had practiced for, his big moment, at the climax of the play.

“DIOLES WILL WIN!” He finished his monologue, his voice conveying pure, raw conviction, carrying through the audience.

But instead of Kuali’i shouting his next lines, Felix’s entire world was flipped upside down.

Alarms started blaring, the whole room filling with red flashing lights. “ALERT. ALERT. DIOLE ON THE PREMISES. DIOLE ON THE PREMISES.”

Felix’s blood ran cold. The entire band stopped playing, yet no one else moved. The entire theatre was still in anticipation.

There was a deafening crash. Cracks formed along the roof, splintering away, as a majority of the back wall collapsed. Debris rained down on the audience. Felix watched helplessly as people were thrown and crushed. Blood splattered the walls, the ground, the stage. Smoke filled the room. He was hanging mid-air, still tightly secured by his harness. He couldn’t move, couldn’t get down. He was completely stuck. Fear tightened around his chest. His friends were in that audience. Paisley was in that audience. Reagan was sitting in that audience.

“I came at the perfect time.” A booming voice echoed from above, laughing at the scene. Felix saw a flash of black, as a large creature emerged from the missing wall.

It was as tall, if not even taller, than the school. Its hands were jagged, pitch-black in colour, flinging pieces of debris everywhere. “‘Dioles will win!’” It repeated with another laugh. “Great delivery Felix!” It turned its head, revealing its piercing yellow eyes.

Felix was frozen in terror. He couldn’t look away from it. He could hear screaming from below, growing louder as more people ran in. Dioles. They blocked all of the exits, attacking the audience. Felix managed to reach for his harness, desperately trying to claw at the lock and tear it open. It wouldn’t budge.

“Winola!”

It was Adelio on the ground, trying to lower Felix down. “Come here and help me!” Winola ran up to him, abandoning her screaming band members and helping him with the ropes. More blood splattered on the ground as the monster threw even more debris at people, Dioles overwhelming others.

Felix’s feet finally touched on the ground, his harness making a clear clicking noise as it was unlocked. Felix had never been more relieved. He ripped it off of himself, shaking all over.

Gunfire rang off, the gym teachers aiming bullets at the monster. It just laughed, swatting the bullets away. “C’mon, you’ll have to try a little harder than that! How about a real hero fights me?” It grinned, looking around. This all seemed to be nothing but amusing to the creature. Felix couldn’t believe his eyes. It couldn’t really be him. There was no way it was really who he thought that was.

“Fine. Guess I’ll have to use a hostage.” The monster laughed, scanning around the screaming crowd. Its glowing eyes finally fell on the stage. “Oh, how about you?” It reached down, giant hand stretching towards Felix, Winola and Adelio. It had claws that must have been taller than Felix himself.

It brushed past Felix, hands closing around the person only five feet away. Felix was finally free from his harness, yet he couldn’t even make himself move. Couldn’t make himself speak. He watched helplessly as the creature snatched his friend away.

“Let’s see, who will save this poor little defenceless human?” It dangled Adelio around, holding onto them by nothing more than his arm. Adelio’s face was twisted up in pain. The monster held them out tauntingly to the crowd. “Anyone?” It asked with a grin. “Maybe I’ll have to make things more dire.” It slowly squeezed Adelio’s arm, and his piercing scream filled the theatre. Blood exploded from its fist, showering the people below.

Felix sprinted at the monster, abandoning all logical thought. Adelio’s scream wouldn’t stop ringing in his ears. He dodged debris, leaping towards the creature.

He had to save his friend.

The monster kicked him squarely in the chest, and he went flying. He crashed into a wall, pain spasming through his entire body. Felix gasped, the breath sucked out of his chest. His head pounded. It felt like he had broke something. His vision blurred.

“No takers, huh?” The monster said to Adelio, dangling them directly in front of its face. “Guess I’ll have to find a more valuable hostage.”

Felix shakily got to his feet, just in time to see Adelio get tossed through the air, discarded like he was nothing. He ran at the monster again, his side burning in white hot pain.

“RODRIGUEZ STAND BACK!” Someone screamed.

It was Mr. Prader. He grabbed onto him, pulling him back. Felix could only watch as the monster reached down again, plucking up another victim. “Oh you’ll definitely have people willing to save you.” It laughed.

Felix screamed.

The monsters hand was closed around none other than his best friend, a horrified look on her face.

It was Bliss.

“Well who’s gonna save her?” It laughed gleefully. Like it was a fucking joke. Felix fought desperately against Mr. Prader, staring up at Bliss, panicked. He couldn’t let her get hurt. Not her.

“NO!” He screamed. “PUT HER DOWN! DON’T HURT HER!” He tried to wriggle free from Mr. Prader’s grip, to escape and save his best friend, but Mr. Prader wouldn’t let go.

“DO YOU WANT TO DIE RODRIGUEZ? I SAID STAND BACK!”

Teachers kept aiming bullets at the monster, all for naught, as they were deflected with ease. “NO!” Felix kept screaming, begging, “DON’T DO THIS. DON’T HURT HER.” His voice cracked with emotion. Anyone but her. Anyone but Bliss.

“HOLD HIM BACK.” Mr Prader ordered some random people, and they all grabbed at Felix, keeping him still. Felix fought against them, but it was five adults versus him. They pinned his arms back.

He just needed to get to his friend. He needed to do something.

The creature looked around again. No one else was running to Bliss’ assistance, other than the teachers whose bullets accomplished nothing. “Man.” The monster sounded almost disappointed. “Nobody’s willing to save you either? Guess you’re just not that valuable.”

It’s fist started to squeeze, closing in around Bliss. Felix’s voice was raw, yelling and screaming and praying for the monster to notice him. Just look at me already.

“GUNTHER.” He pleaded, “Please, don’t hurt her!”

Gunther didn’t even look at him. His friend, someone he had trusted, joked with, laughed with, who now just stood there, holding one of the people Felix cared about most and laughing as he squeezed the life out of her.

Cracks formed in the ground, snaking between his feet. Below him he could hear rumbling. The floor burst, and out came a violent stream of…

Water?

Gunther’s hand was forced open as it got sliced by a giant blade of water. Bliss went flying. Felix focused in on her, opening a portal underneath her and safely transporting her a few feet away from the fight.

Gunther was laughing maniacally. “FINALLY.” He yelled, shaking his hand. “THANK YOU AVIL!” His eyes focused on the girl with a familiar blue-and-purple ponytail, now standing in front of him, water floating around her.

Felix finally pushed away from the people holding him, instantly sprinting towards Bliss’ side. He dodged water and fallen debris, landing next to her and checking her pulse.

She was alive. He sobbed, eternally grateful for Avil.

“GUNTHER WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Avil shouted, hurling more water blows at him. He laughed and flashed a row a razor-sharp teeth. “Killing these humans.”

Blood was dripping from Bliss’ head, her eyes glazed over. She was sprawled out in the rubble, unresponsive.

Felix didn’t know what to do. Gunther and Avil were still fighting, debris and water going everywhere. He needed to get her somewhere safe. He couldn’t leave her here. She’d be crushed. He had to find Reagan and Paisley… had to find Akali. He didn’t even know if Adelio had survived. He couldn’t focus, the sounds of Dioles fighting and gunshots firing too distracting. Bliss needed a hospital now. But there was no way he’d get out in time. He glanced back at Gunther, terrified and completely lost.

“BUT WHY?” Avil screamed again, hurling even more water at Gunther.

“BECAUSE I’M A DIOLE CAN’T YOU SEE? YOU SHOULD GET IT. ALL TWELVE OF YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND.”

Felix turned back to Bliss, carefully picking her up and slinging her across his shoulders. His heart was racing. He had to bring her somewhere safe. He had to get her out of here. He glanced around. The entire theatre was coming down.

There wasn’t anywhere to go.

“ALL OF THE BOARD GAME CLUB SHOULD UNDERSTAND. RIGHT GUYS?” He smacked the water away, laughing again. He sounded deranged.

Felix didn’t care about him anymore. He needed to get out of here. He needed to get Bliss help. There was no use hiding anymore, not after Gunther’s announcement.

Still holding onto Bliss, he opened up a portal and stepped through, praying this was the right decision.

Winola limped, pain shooting up her leg for every step she took.

Adelio hadn’t woken up.

He was slung over her shoulders, his mutilated arm slowly pouring blood, soaking her clothes. Winola didn’t know how much time he had left, didn’t know if he would even make it, if she found a way to a hospital.

Still, she searched for an exit, trying to stay undetected by the other Dioles. There seemed to be no escape to this place. Water bursted out of the cracks in the ground, the blood from her gunshot wound and the dead audience members making it slippery to walk. Smoke burned her eyes, but she kept pushing on. She wasn’t going to give up now. She had to get Adelio to a hospital.

The blood loss was making her dizzy. She had tied her sweater around her leg, but Adelio was weighing her down even further. Every muscle in her body screamed in protest.

“YOU!” Someone yelled.

She picked up her pace, trying to readjust Adelio in some way that was less painful for the both of them. He was completely out of it, his arm still gushing blood.

“COME BACK HERE!” The person screeched again, and Winola could hear them sprinting after her. The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but Winola didn’t care about anything except getting Adelio to safety. She didn’t care if she died doing it. She would have preferred it, honestly.

A hand closed around her shoulder. She ignored it, praying they weren’t armed. She couldn’t deal with another bullet wound right now.

She could still hear Gunther raving as Avil fought him. “JANUARY, MADDOX, FELIX, WINOLA, NYSSA, ALZENA, WILDER, RORY, KUALI’I, AKALI, ASTLEY, AND YOU, AVIL. WHY DON’T YOU JOIN ME? YOU’RE ALL DIOLES AFTERALL.”

Winola pulled away, glancing around for another way out. Gunther laughed again. “Looks like I broke the club oath. Guess you’ll have to kill me.” She could hear the grin in his voice.

Someone stepped in front of Winola, stopping her in her tracks. It was Felix’s older sister, Reagan. Her brown eyes were wide, her face ghostly pale from Gunther’s announcement. She looked nauseous.

“WHERE IS FELIX?”

“I don’t know.” Winola mumbled, really tired of the Rodriguez siblings. She moved around Reagan, still determined to find some way out.

Gunther’s screams echoed through the theatre, deafening. “SO WHO WILL IT BE? AKALI, AVIL, JANUARY? MAYBE YOU SHOULD WORK TOGETHER SINCE THE REST OF YOU CAN’T DO MUCH.”

“YOU WERE WITH HIM, WHERE IS HE?” Reagan gripped her hand, oh so desperate. She looked at her with tears in her eyes, like she would die if she didn’t find him.

“I already told you I don’t know.” Winola said, getting annoyed. Adelio was bleeding out. He needed help more than Felix. “I need to leave.” She tried pulling away again.

“FELIX CAN GET US OUT OF HERE.” Reagan screamed. “I NEED TO FIND HIM, PLEASE.”

“Then stop talking to me and look for him.” Winola rolled her eyes.

Reagan opened her mouth to protest, before her eyes landed on someone behind them. “FELIX!”

Winola kept looking for a way out.

All the exits were being blocked, either by debris or Dioles she was in no condition to fight.

There was a large hole in the wall, except Gunther was blocking it.

But she had no other options.

Avoiding the falling debris, she quietly made her way to it, carrying Adelio.

“SHE’S A DIOLE!”

People started pointing Winola out, all staring at her with animosity. She tried to escape them, to just get to the exit, to help Adelio.

A blast went off, stunning Winola. She blinked, trying to ignore it, to just keep going, but she found that she couldn’t move. Something warm seeped through her other pant leg, stinging.

Someone had shot her again.

Her legs buckled, and she was knocked to the ground. She couldn’t move her legs. Adelio was laying just in front of her, unconscious. People ran away from her in fear, leaving her laying there on the ground.

She propped herself up on her elbows, gritting her teeth at the fiery burning in her legs. Her head spun. Her vision faded in and out.

Her arms shook, giving out underneath her. She was so weak. She could feel herself slipping away, barely able to even stay awake now.

Then something started to lift her up. She closed her eyes, and everything went fuzzy.

Felix found himself in Bliss’ house.

He’d been in this exact foyer probably a hundred times over the years, all the way back to when he was only five. He’d spent countless days here, hanging out with Bliss, talking to her about anything and everything, gossiping, complaining to each other, laughing and joking around.

But tonight the house was cold, dark. Unbearably quiet. He wished there was somewhere else to go, somewhere else he could portal that wouldn’t immediately get him killed.

“HELLO? SOMEONE? HELP!” He screamed, met with nothing but complete silence. Her parents weren’t here, they would have been in the audience, watching Bliss play on the cello with the band. There was nobody home. He could feel blood seeping through his clothes. Bliss was even worse off. He couldn’t think straight, panic taking over.

He leaned down, laying her on the ground, trying to be as gentle as possible. He reached into his pants pocket, where he thankfully had left his phone in. With shaking hands he called 911.

“PLEASE, HELP. A DIOLE ATTACKED MY FRIEND. SHE’S GOING TO DIE.” He screamed into the phone. He rushedly gave her address, his voice trembling with pure desperation. “SEND AN AMBULANCE. PLEASE. HELP HER.”

He was met by a steady but firm tone on the other end of the line. “Sir, we’re going to need you to calm down. Please tell us what happened.”

He looked down at Bliss again. Her head was bleeding worse now. She was scarily pale. He needed to stay here with her, make sure that she got the help she needed. He needed to protect her.

But his sister was still at the theatre. She was defenceless. She wasn’t a Diole. And she was stuck there with Gunther. He needed to find her. He couldn’t leave his family. If Reagan got hurt, got hurt because of the Board Game Club, because of Felix, he would never forgive himself. He had to go back, had to go find her. He couldn’t just abandon her, abandon Paisley, abandon the Board Game Club.

He remembered a few months ago, laying on his bed, Bliss’ head resting on his chest. It was the night after his 16th birthday party, the first time she’d ever slept over with him. It was just the two of them. They’d stayed up all night, talking and eating birthday cake.

Laying with her, talking about nothing really important, the two of them trying to suppress their laughter, he’d felt completely content. It was perfect. His life was finally settling down. His powers were under control, he had the Board Game Club, and he was even passing most of his classes. She’d smiled at him, so full of warmth and happiness. He could never stay in a bad mood around Bliss. She was just so full of complete love for the people around her. And when she smiled at him, he’d felt so normal. It was the best feeling in the world.

But he was a Diole and she was not.

And he couldn’t stay here and wait with her, as much as it killed him. Reagan could be hurt, could be dying. He needed to get back and help the rest of the club. He stared at his phone. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes.

“I have to go.” He said hoarsely, wanting nothing more than to just stay with her, to ride to the hospital with her, make sure she was safe. “Please, please send an ambulance.”

He took in her face one last time. He prayed that he would get to see her again. Hug her again. He opened up another portal, back into the theatre, and Bliss’ house disappeared.

He landed back in the rubble.

The theatre was still in chaos. He glanced around, looking for Reagan, holding back tears. He didn’t even have time to grieve, not when he was surrounded by blood and fighting and gunfire.

“FELIX!”

He whipped around. Reagan was sprinting at him, her eyes wild. She didn’t seem to be hurt. Her hair was out of its original braid, flying around her face, and she was covered in dust, but other that that, in one piece. He ran towards her, unbelievably relieved that she was okay, that Gunther hadn’t crushed her. She grabbed him tight. “WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE.”

“Where’s Paisley?!”

“THAT’S NOT IMPORTANT. WE NEED TO LEAVE.” She screamed again, looking at him in despair.

Avil and Gunther were still fighting, water splashing everywhere. “No, not yet!” Paisley was nowhere to be seen. “We have to find her! And I can’t leave them!” He gestured to Avil and Gunther. “I have to go help!”

She gripped his shoulders, fingernails digging into his skin. “SHE ALREADY LEFT.” Her voice cracked, she looked like she was two seconds from bawling her eyes out. “SHE SAID THAT SHE’LL MEET US. WE NEED TO GO.” She was pleading with him, begging.

“THERE, THE DIOLE.” Someone Felix didn’t know screamed, pointing at him angrily.

He hesitated, wondering for a second if he should just leave with her, let January figure this out on his own. But he couldn’t. They’d signed an oath. He wasn’t like Gunther, he wouldn’t break it like that. He had to help them. Gunther would kill them all if he left. He couldn’t lose both of his best friends.

“GET SOMEWHERE SAFE! I’LL BE BACK I PROMISE.” He stepped back from Reagan, opening up a portal.

“FELIX-“ Reagan screamed, reaching for him. He’d never heard her sound so desperate before.

But it was too late.

He landed on top of Gunther, trying to keep his balance as Gunther swung out and ripped more of the wall apart.

“Huh? A fly?” Gunther laughed, ignoring Felix. Felix kicked him in the eye as hard as he could, enough to at least stun him a bit.

“FUCK YOU!” He screamed.

Gunther just blinked, barely even phased. He laughed again. “You’ve been training for how long and that’s all you can do?” He reached up, giant hand closing around Felix before he could think to dodge.

Felix clawed at him, trying to squirm out of his grasp. He screamed in frustration. “I HATE YOU!” He tried to kick at his eye again, but Gunther just pulled him away. He dangled him by his arm, just like he had with Adelio. Felix was probably fifty feet up in the air. Enough to kill him if he fell. Gunther’s lips curled into a smirk.

“You always did amuse me, you know.”

Felix had never hated someone more.

“WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS? WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU? YOU RUINED EVERYTHING.”

Gunther used his free hand to swipe away the bullets and water that were still being shot at him, but he seemed slower. The water pressure had evidently started to affect him. “Oh, I’m doing you all a FAVOUR.”

“MY LIFE WAS FINALLY GOING TO BE NORMAL!” Felix screamed back, so overcome by rage that he didn’t even care if Gunther dropped him. “I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND. HOW COULD YOU?”

“Normal?” Gunther laughed harder. “Your life never WAS and never WILL BE normal.” He threw Felix. “You have to accept that in this society you’ll be nothing but a MONSTER.”

Felix flew through the air, opening up another portal and landing in a heap on Gunther’s shoulder. He got to his feet again, staring at him in disbelief.

“LOOK AT YOURSELF.” He yelled. “LOOK AT WHAT YOU’RE DOING. I WOULD NEVER DO THAT. I WOULD NEVER HURT SOMEONE LIKE THAT.” He motioned to the mess of blood and bodies below, the Dioles that kept attacking. “IF YOU HAD JUST PLAYED ALONG THEN WE COULD’VE HAD A NORMAL LIFE!”

“THERE’S NOTHING NORMAL ABOUT US. HAS JANUARY RESTALL TAINTED YOUR MIND WITH SO MUCH FALSE HOPE?” He laughed. “I’M NOT LIKE YOU GUYS, I DON’T RUN AWAY FROM MYSELF. I DON’T CARE HOW MANY PEOPLE I HAVE TO HURT FOR MY OWN FREEDOM!”

Gunther grabbed onto more debris and hurled it.

“YOU’RE FUCKING CRAZY!” Felix couldn’t believe this was the same guy who had sat and laughed with him on Monday, sitting in the club room, playing board games with the rest of them. Had he known all along? Had he sat there while knowing he was going to do this?

“WHAT ABOUT YOUR GIRLFRIENDS? YOUR FAMILY? YOU HAD FRIENDS. DON’T YOU CARE?”

“I’m doing this for THEM.” He hissed, flicking Felix away. He stomped, cracking the ground and causing several chunks of the roof to collapse.

Felix opened another portal, landing on the ground lightly. “YOU THINK THEY’RE GONNA LIKE YOU NOW, AFTER YOU MURDERED A BUNCH OF HUMANS?”

Gunther narrowed his eyes, laughing. “This truly shows how we were never really friends.”

Felix thought about all the times he had hung out with Gunther. How Gunther had saved him when he had broken his leg in a fight, how Gunther had been one of his closest friends in the Board Game Club. Months of jokes and conversations. Gunther was one of the only people he could be fully himself, not having to worry about being a Diole. Gunther was cool, strong, and good at fighting. He was charming. Felix respected him; looked up to him, even. He was everything he wanted to be.

He didn’t want to admit how much that all really hurt, how much Gunther’s words stung. He had trusted him. And it was all nothing?

“HOW COULD THEY POSSIBLY WANT ALL THIS?”

“OH YOU REALLY DON’T KNOW ANYTHING.” Gunther spit back, seething.

“THEN TELL ME!” Felix screamed, waving his arms around. “TELL ME HOW ANY OF THIS IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE SENSE?”

“Maybe you’ll find out, if you make it to Paradise.” He started to morph again, growing larger in size, the ground collapsing even further. Cracks formed under Felix’s feet, and he was forced back farther.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?”

But Gunther was finally finished. He didn’t even look at him, instead using his sharp claws to continue to break the building.

Felix gave up trying to reason with him, portaling back up to his head and trying to poke his eyes out, distract him, do any sort of damage against him.

Gunther was seemingly getting stronger and stronger, effortlessly deflecting Avil and Felix’s attacks while dodging bullets. Felix had never made so many portals consecutively. His whole body shook with effort. His face was dripping with sweat. He stumbled, and Gunther tossed him through the air again. He managed to create another portal, this time rolling roughly on the ground. He felt sick. He couldn’t keep going like this for much longer, and he was sure that Avil couldn’t either. Gunther was still standing tall, wrecking the school. He didn’t even look bothered.

Gunther was always stronger than all of them, better than all of them. He knew it. Everyone knew it. Felix’s portals were nothing compared to him. He was no match. He wasn’t even sure if the entire club working together could overpower Gunther. It didn’t matter anyway, because the rest of the club was nowhere to be found. Maybe January really had abandoned them all.

There was a sharp bang. Felix’s shoulder exploded with pain. He coughed, blood soaking his jacket.

For a split second he could almost understand Gunther. Their bullets were doing nothing against Gunther’s monstrous form. The only person causing any real damage was Avil. The two of them were on their own against him. And yet the teachers were still shooting at them. Only a few minutes ago Mr. Prader had held him back, tried to protect him. Felix hadn’t hurt anyone, he was actively trying to distract Gunther long enough for Avil to finally land a hit on him. Yet it didn’t matter, all they heard was “Diole” and suddenly he was the enemy, a criminal; not a student.

Felix had been hiding - running - since he was six years old. He couldn’t remember what his life had been like, for the short time that he was normal. Before his parents died. Before Reagan found out he was a Diole. Before she took him away from their grandmother, before it was just them. He was only six. He hadn’t done anything wrong. He wasn’t evil, or wicked, or some sort of murderer. He was just a scared kid who had just lost his parents. But suddenly the world had decided that he was too dangerous.

“You’ll be nothing but a MONSTER.” Gunther’s words repeated in his head. There were people running away from him, staring at him like he was the one that had wrecked the school, that had crushed those people. They were scared of him. He could hear them screaming, shouting “DIOLE!” at him. Like there was no difference between him and Gunther, not in their eyes. He wondered bitterly if Gunther was right. If he really was running away from himself, if he was a coward.

But Bliss was somewhere bleeding out, possibly dead, because of Gunther. She was innocent, the one person Felix knew who didn’t seem to hate Dioles. She always spoke lightly about them, commenting on how neither humans nor Dioles could be inherently good or evil. “If a Diole can kill someone, then so can a human, and vice versa.”

Gunther wasn’t right. He was no different than them, attacking the school, laughing as he crushed Adelio’s arm and discarding them as if they were nothing more than a toy.

Felix crouched behind the rubble, trying to catch his breath. He wouldn’t let Gunther hurt anyone else. He had to find a way to be actually useful, because kicking Gunther in the eye wasn’t doing anything but annoying him and tiring Felix out. His shoulder stung. He was pretty sure that he was going to pass out from exhaustion. Every single muscle in his body hurt.

Keeping low, he searched the rubble for something sharp. His hands closed around a piece of jagged metal. Standing up shakily, he managed to open another portal, and slipped into it.

He landed on Gunther’s head once again, but this time he wasted not a second before attacking. Gunther didn’t seem to notice him, and he was becoming much more sluggish against both Felix, Avil, and the constant gunfire. Felix prayed this meant that they were actually chipping away at him, even if it was just slowly. Felix raised his arms above his head, arcing the weapon down with all his strength and impaling Gunther’s eye.

Gunther hissed, grabbing Felix and flinging him in the air. Felix flew up at least twenty feet, away from the school this time. Disoriented, he created another portal, slashing out at Gunther’s other eye.

Gunther merely closed his eye, the debris deflecting off of his hide. Felix twisted in the air, caught off balance, and Gunther took advantage of it, swatting him away. Felix opened up another portal, almost missing it, and fell back down to the ground, this time rolling roughly through the rubble.

The debris had started to float into the air, raising around Felix and Avil as they continued to fight. Gunther didn’t seem to pay it any mind, destroying more of the school.

January.

Felix hoped he was somewhere around here, hoped January had some sort of plan. Because Felix sure didn’t have one. He prayed the rest of the Board Game Club was safe. That someone would come to help them. He really wished Akali was here right now. He was the strongest in the club, next to January and Avil. He would’ve been able to take down Gunther much more easily than Felix was.

Gunther grabbed him again, but this time he was caught off guard, catching his breath down in the rubble. His claws closed around Felix, pinning his arms down. This time Gunther didn’t throw him, instead raising him higher into the air. His yellow eyes flickered dangerously. Felix’s heart sunk. It was the same amused look he had while holding Bliss.

Slowly, Gunther started to squeeze.

Felix screamed. His entire body lit up with pain. He had never felt like this before, every single muscle and bone in his body in agony. He couldn’t see, couldn’t think. All he could hear was himself screaming, his throat raw. Blood gushed from his bullet wound, dripping down Gunther’s fist. He screamed louder.

He couldn’t breathe.

He could feel his ribs folding in on each other, and his lungs felt like they were being crushed. The edges of his vision were blurring red. He could feel all the blood rushing to his head. he felt like he was going to explode. He wished he had said goodbye to Reagan. Wished he had said “I love you” one last time.

He was going to die, killed by one of his only friends.

Tears streamed down his face, he gagged. Stop, he wanted to beg. Please stop. He couldn’t make himself do anything except yell out in pain. Things were falling out of the sky, but his vision was so blurred that he couldn’t tell what it was. He didn’t even really care anymore, too focused on the way poison seemed to be sloshing around in his rib cage.

Someone grabbed the collar of his shirt, and the pressure ceased. The last thing he saw was a mountain of rubble come crashing down on Gunther with alarming speed, before he melted into shadow.

“You’re such an idiot.”

Someone grumbled, their monotone voice familiar. He was laid down on the ground gently. Bright LED lights blinded him. He must have been far away from the theatre now.

He blinked, and Akali in all his sweaty, blood-covered glory came into focus.

Felix shook, unable to say anything. His entire body still hurt, and his head felt foggy. Akali stood up, giving Felix a once-over quickly to make sure he was okay. “I’ll be back.” He vanished into a cloud of black smoke again.

The entire school was eerily quiet now. Felix couldn’t hear Gunther any longer. He laid there, shaking all over, his adrenaline rush finally fading.

“FELIX!”

Someone grabbed him, helping him to his feet. “WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE.”

It was Reagan, looking even more terrified than before. He managed to stand, feeling dizzy. He leaned against her, holding onto her side for support. “My friends,” he croaked. “I need to find them.”

Reagan just scooped him up, the action both done with utmost care but also urgency. “NO.” She was still screaming. “WE NEED TO LEAVE.”

Felix pushed against her weakly, but she wouldn’t let him go this time. “NO.” He yelled back, determined to not leave his friends. Not when they needed him the most. “They’ll die!”

Reagan looked at his shoulder wound, which was bleeding even worse after Gunther had almost crushed him. “You’ll die!” She stared at him incredulously, her voice taking on a desperate edge.

“Please. They need help!”

Reagan’s face hardened. Her jaw was set stubbornly, and she shifted so that she held him more tightly against her chest. “Reagan, I made a promise! I can’t just abandon them!” Felix pleaded with her. He couldn’t lose Akali and Bliss in one night. Paisley was gone. He wasn’t even sure if she made it out alive. Reagan started running down the hall, ignoring Felix’s protests. “YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.” She shot back angrily, turning down a hallway.

Someone sprinted past them, and Felix noticed a flash of bright red hair. It was Wilder, running in the opposite direction.

Felix tried to jump from her arms and follow him, but he was too weak from the fight, and Reagan too stubborn. He screamed Wilder’s name, hoping Wilder would hear him, notice him, tell him where Avil was, where the rest of the Board Game Club was.

Wilder blatantly ignored him, disappearing into the dust.

Of course. Felix had never been more frustrated, being held back by his sister while Wilder ran away from him, not able to get over his petty grudge when they all were probably going to die. He punched at Reagan, each action causing his shoulder to burn even worse.

Reagan picked up her pace, not even paying attention to his weak attempts at fighting her. He’d never felt so utterly pathetic.

He started screaming, begging her to please, just help him find his friends. Please, let go. He couldn’t get Bliss out of his head, the way she looked laying in her empty house, blood pooling around her, as Felix left her, alone. He couldn’t stop the images of Akali, Avil, January… all with their eyes rolled back in their head, blood soaking through their clothes. He knew they wouldn’t survive if he left with Reagan. He would never see them ever again. He knew he’d never be able to forgive himself if they died.

Reagan didn’t even acknowledge his screams, looking around wildly for some sort of exit.

A door beside them swung open. Standing there was Maddox, looking more disheveled than usual, face wide with shock. His eyes were glowing blue, searching behind the two of them hopefully, like maybe January might be there.

“MADDOX!” Felix screamed, never more relieved to see him in his entire life.

Maddox grabbed onto Reagan, pulling the both of them inside and shutting the door once again.

Reagan stumbled, almost dropping Felix. The Board Game Club was gathered around the room, all behind Maddox. “WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING HERE?”

Felix used the distraction to break free, landing on his feet clumsily and managing to lean against a desk. Maddox looked at Reagan, his eyes were wide. “Is it just you two?” He asked, a hint of desperation in his voice.

Reagan glanced around, suddenly panicked again. “WHO ELSE IS SUPPOSED TO BE HERE?”

Felix took in his surroundings, and his heart ached. This was the room where he had broken Gunther’s rotting old guitar. He could recognize the closet in the back, where Gunther kept all his school supplies. He’d hung out here a few times, on the days when he was too bored to make himself go to class. Gunther had always greeted him with a crooked smile.

He hated how much he wished Gunther were here right now, hated how much he missed his friend.

Maddox continued to stare at Reagan, his blue eyes making him look unnerving. He tapped his foot, becoming even more impatient, but didn’t respond.

“Akali was with me,” Felix said, his voice ragged. “I don’t know where he went.”

Maddox nodded, looking like he would have done anything to hear January was okay. He stared down at his watch nervously.

The room went completely silent as a huge explosion rang off in the distance. Felix was horrified. Had Gunther survived being buried by debris? Was it not over yet?

A heat wave hit the room, and everything clicked into place.

Wilder.

Felix had no clue what he was doing, but he hoped he was helping Avil. He hoped January and Akali made it to the room soon.

“One minute left and we’re leaving.” Maddox declared, looking up from his watch again.

“What about January?”

Felix couldn’t have been more shocked. Maddox and January were a pair, and you would rarely find one without the other. The two were constantly together, laughing, joking, walking to class with each other. They were best friends. Maddox knew January better than anyone else, even knew how to calm him down when he got into those freaky states where he seemed like he wanted to kill you. Maddox and January were two halves of a whole. Even Felix knew that. Maddox couldn’t seriously be thinking about leaving without him.

Maddox kept glancing at the door. “He’ll…” He faltered for a second. “He’ll be fine.” He sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

The sound of rushed footsteps echoed outside in the hall. Maddox was immediately at the door, having practically thrown himself across the room. He swung it open.

Akali, January, and Astley carrying Wilder.

There was no Avil.

“January!” Maddox ran up to his friend. “Are you hurt?”

January shook his head, in a daze. He had a faraway look in his eyes.

“Is Avil…?” Felix trailed off, already knowing the answer. His voice sounded incredibly small. This didn’t feel real. No one would look at him. They all stayed silent. He swallowed, his throat suddenly very dry. She’d been his first friend in the club, the first one who actually seemed to like him. She was kind, compassionate, and probably the only person who had genuinely been impressed by him.

She was only fifteen.

More footsteps sounded from down the hall, stomping loudly towards them. Maddox looked around at the group, his face was set. “We need to get out of here.”

“Where?” Felix asked, feeling lost. Maddox glanced back at the door again, his answer immediate, said without hesitation.

“Chumps Jr.”

Any other instance Felix would have groaned, protested, rolled his eyes. But right now he didn’t even care. He was grateful Maddox was taking charge, because he felt like he was about to fall apart. He’d lost too much tonight. He moved robotically, opening up another portal, the simple action taking everything he had left.

It weakly flickered to life, not big enough to even crawl through. Felix could feel everyone’s eyes on him. He was their one ticket out of here, yet he could barely even stand, barely even create a portal. The footsteps were growing louder and louder by the second.

The portal slowly opened wider, Felix feeling like he would pass out any second now. The footsteps were even closer now. Felix’s whole body shook with the effort of it all.

Finally, the portal opened. But so did the door.

Rory was the first one through. They hopped through without a second thought, dragging Kuali’i in behind them.

At the door was Ms. Cora. Her dark brown eyes were wide. At her side was a familiar large gun, the one that she kept in her classroom at all times. But it wasn’t pointed at them, instead resting on her hip, her hands already occupied, holding a scared-looking kid. He was curled up in her arms, and he couldn’t have been older than seven. With a start, Felix realized it was one of Winola’s siblings. He couldn’t remember his name. The kid had bit him at the beach once, that he was sure.

Ms. Cora looked at the club, and then the portal. Her hand twitched, instinctively reaching for her gun.

Felix grabbed Reagan, shoving her into the portal. She screamed, but by then she was already gone. Astley picked up Winola, who was bleeding from both of her legs, too weak to move, and stepped through as well, Wilder still slung across his back.

Ms. Cora disconnected the gun from its holster, kicking it to the side. “Look, look, I’m not here to hurt you.” She looked toward the figure laying on the ground, which Felix realized for the first time was Adelio. It was hard to tell if they were still alive or not. “I just need you to leave so I can take him.”

One by one, the remains of the Board Game Club stepped through. Felix took one last glance at Ms. Cora, who was patiently waiting so that she could pick up Adelio and get him help.

He stepped through the portal, and the school faded away around him.

[mumblingsage]

Tasted them. You’ve gained a statue’s flavor, like licking the pyramids, or kissing sandstone shoulders. I mean boulders.

-Amy Gerstler, “What I Did with Your Ashes,” in Scattered at Sea

Francesco Furini: Artemisia Prepares to Drink the Ashes of her Husband, Mausolu

We spread Aaron's ashes in his favorite river in Minnesota, and when the bag was empty -- because when you're cremated, you fit into a plastic bag -- there were still ashes stuck to my fingers. And I could have just put my hands in the water and rinsed them, but instead, I licked my hands clean, because I was so afraid of losing more than I had already lost, and I was so desperate to make sure that he would always be a part of me. But of course he would be.

-Nora McInerny, “We don't 'move on' from grief. We move forward with it”

A couple of weeks after the cremation, the ashes were ready to be collected. They were in a murky-red plastic container with screw-top lid, my husband's name and death date printed on a white label. The container was surprisingly heavy. When I got home I unscrewed the lid and looked inside. The ashes were in a clear plastic bag. I lifted out the bag and opened it. No sign of bits of bone, just a heap of rather industrial grey powder that could have been ground concrete. That evening I put a sprinkling of my husband's remains into a bowl of yoghurt and honey and ate it, startled by the act and by the grittiness in my mouth.

-Julia Blackburn, Time Song: Journeys in Search of a Submerged Land

Gerard van Honthorst, Artemisia

Gallery Description: Queen Artemisia (4th century B.C.) of ­Halicarnassus in Asia Minor was said by ancient authors to have mourned her husband, Mausolus, by building the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. She then drank his ashes mixed with wine in order to become his living tomb and an example of virtue (exemplum virtutis). Here, the queen’s retainers of different ages and status marvel at her prodigious act, in accordance with the rules set forth for humanist history painting by theorist Leon Battista Alberti in his treatise De pictura (1435), where this noble genre was defined.

....to perpetuate his memory she built at Halicarnassus the celebrated Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, listed by Antipater of Sidon as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and whose name subsequently became the generic term for any splendid sepulchral monument...  Artemisia drinking her husband's ashes was a subject in painting from the Renaissance onwards, especially enjoying a vogue in Dutch Golden Age painting around the middle of the 17th century, being painted by Rembrandt (Prado) among others.

-Wikipedia, Artemisia II of Caria

[rebelwrites]

All My Love, Your Blonde Idiot

Clay Spenser x Reader

Join The Group Chat Here - If You Want Tagging Manually Let Me Know 🖤

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This Months Writing

Requested by @chibsytelford Clay Spenser imagine where he dies on duty and reader makes it her mission to find who did it......... 🤭🤭🤭

Warnings: THIS WILL MAKE TOU CRY, death, blood, loss, grief

I’m sorry blame Laura for this one

The air around the base was suffocating, the sadness and heartbreak was weighing heavy on everyone, especially you. The attack came out of nowhere, everything happened so fast, bullets were flying, along with the RPGs. It wasn’t until the dust had settled that you knew the extent of the damage the attack had caused.

Everything had happened so fast, one minute Clay was standing upright and the next he had collapsed on the floor, it was like time stood still as you ran as fast as you could over the terrain to get to your husband, dropping to your knees, pulling his head in your lap.

The tears wouldn’t stop flowing as you looked down at his pale complexion, you knew it, he knew it, everyone knew it. This was it for him, there wasn’t enough time the QRF wouldn’t make it on time to get him back to base, he had already lost too much blood, that was obvious by the blood stained sand that surrounded him.

No one spoke, as they all crowded around their fallen brother, not wanting to leave him in his final moments.

As much as it caused him an excruciating amount of pain, Clay reached up, placing his bloody hand on your cheek, smiling up at you, albeit weakly.

“Don’t forget I will always be with you babygirl,” he spluttered breathlessly, “I will always love you.”

“Please Clay,” you sobbed, “just hang on baby, I can’t live without you.”

“We both know I don’t have time,” he winced. “And you will be okay princess.”

“I love you,” you choked, leaning down so your face was level with his.

“I love you too Princess,” he whispered, as you kissed him softly, and in the moments of the kiss he took his final breath, surrounded by the people that he loved the most.

That had been two weeks ago and you were hardly sleeping, hardly eating, you had shut everyone out and threw yourself into helping Mandy and Lisa find out who called the attack that killed your soulmate. That was your focus, you blocked everything and everyone out, you hadn’t even properly grieved Clay and everyone was starting to worry.

“Has she eaten today?” Sonny asked, watching as you stared at the laptop, not taking your eyes from the screen.

“Not that I’ve seen, I don’t think she has eaten for two days now, and when she did it was just a granola bar,” Jason sighed, “we need to do something before the weight starts dropping off her.”

“She won’t listen to any of us though, it’s like we don’t exist right now,” Ray said sadly.

“Has she even properly grieved Clay yet?” Jase asked.

“No she’s just thrown herself into finding who did it,” Sonny sighed, “I think she is just trying to keep busy.”

“You know what this calls for boys,” Jase nodded, he knew that you were going to hate all of them for this but it needed to be done. “I think it’s time she read the letter he left her.”

Today had been the first day you felt like you were getting somewhere, you actually had a lead that could answer the question you had of who did this. It had also been the first day that none of the boys had come and checked on you or tried to get you to eat.

You didn’t want to eat, you wanted answers, you needed answers.

You sat in complete silence, digging through the documents you had found, that was until the boys came crashing into the room. Jason wrapped his arms around your waist, hoisting you up from your seat before throwing you over his shoulder.

“Put me down you asshole,” you screamed, pounding your fists against his back as he carried you through the base, gaining the attention from everyone. As you spotted Blackburn you lifted your head up, looking him in the eyes. “Help me, I have shit to do,”

“No can do sweetheart,” he shrugged, “you need to eat.”

“I don’t need to fucking eat, I need to get answers,” you screamed, as the tears burned your eyes. You were frustrated that you were being pulled away from what was now your mission.

“And everything will still be there once you have eaten,” Eric said softly, as he stood in front of you wiping away a few tears that had slid down your cheek. “You can’t live off coffee and granola bars, trust me.”

Jason threw you down onto the sofa, and ignored the look you were giving him, moments later you were passed a tray of food, looking down at the plate you shook your head.

“I’m not hungry,” you huffed.

“We all know that’s a lie kiddo,” Sonny whispered, sitting next to you, placing his hand on your shoulder. “Just please eat something, even if it’s only a quarter of it, just eat something.” This wasn’t like Sonny to beg, you could see the pain and worry in his eyes, “please”

“Okay,” you sighed, stabbing the fork into the chicken nugget, you refused to eat the veggies but you would eat the nuggets.

You could practically hear Clay laughing at you for going straight for the nuggets telling you that you would turn into a nugget with the amount you ate. Tears started to cloud your vision making everything blurry, as you stared at the plate, you would never hear him moan at you for the amount of times you would come home with a share box of nuggets, you would never feel the warmth of his body as you snuggled in bed, you would never feel his strong arms wrapped around your waist. He was gone.

The silent tears rolled freely down your cheeks, you didn’t have the energy to wipe them away as you nibbled at the nuggets.

“We found this, in Clay’s bunk,” Jason whispered, passing you the envelope that had your name scrawled across the front in Clay’s messy handwriting.

Running your fingers over your name, you took a deep breath before opening the letter. You knew this would be the final straw, both you and Clay had these letters written on a just in case basis, but you just prayed that neither of you had to read them. Your blurry vision made it hard to read the letter, so you roughly wiped your eyes on the sleeves of Clay’s hoodie.

To my Princess, my babygirl, my beautiful wife,

If you are reading this then I am so sorry, just know I tried my hardest to keep fighting, to stay strong for you. But unfortunately it wasn’t enough.

I know you will throw yourself into getting revenge and I love you so much for that, but baby I need you to stop, this isn’t healthy, and I know full well you will be worrying the boys. I want you to eat, even if it’s chicken nuggies just please eat something and please sleep.

I know the pain you are feeling right now makes you want to give up but you have to keep pushing on but you also need to grieve, stop bottling everything up Princess.

Squeezing your eyes closed as you read the words, a few tears splashed onto the paper, you knew this letter would be hanging around but you knew the moment you read it your world would crumble as the realisation that he was really gone set in.

I know it may be hard right now, but please keep smiling, always look for the little things in this life and hold onto those moments for dear life. Just like I did with the day we first met, I didn’t think I would find someone just as perfect as you but then you literally crashed into my life that day at the supermarket.

I will always be watching over you babygirl, I will always be by your side, and my love for you will never fade. And if the time comes where you meet somebody I don’t want you to hold back, I want you to move on, I want you to be happy and I don’t want you going through this life alone.

Please fall back onto the boys and let them be your strength right now, you don’t have to go through this alone.

Remember I will always love you Princess,

All my love,

Your blonde idiot xxx

The sobs shook through your body, you couldn’t stop the tears, he was really gone. Reality finally set in as you sunk down into the sofa trying to make yourself as small as possible, you didn’t want to go through this world and war without your partner in crime. Pulling the hood of the hoodie over your head, you inhaled the smell of the material, for the time being it still smells like Clay and provided a tiny bit of comfort.

It didn’t take long before you were being squished by the arms of your boys, just letting you break down in the middle of them all. No one spoke, but no one needed to, you knew by their actions that they weren’t going to let you get through this alone and as a family you would get through it together.

A further week had passed, and right now you felt like you had failed, deployment had come to an end and you were no further on getting revenge for your husband, having to hand over all the information to Charlie team in hopes that they managed to gain revenge for you.

The atmosphere on the plane was heavy, you refused to move away from the coffin that laid in the middle of the floor, no one dared pull you away from it knowing you would be afraid to throw hands.

You still didn’t want to believe that your husband was gone, part of you was living in hopes that this was just a bad dream and that you would wake up to Clay cooking topless in the kitchen or him dragging you out of bed to hit the gym at the crack of dawn.

But you knew the moment you got home to the house being empty all your emotions would break you down once again.

Leaning against the metal box, you rested your elbows on your knees holding your hands against your face, it looked like you were praying but you were just trying to keep your emotions in check, it was a long flight home and you didn’t want to burden any of the boys, they needed their sleep.

“Hey kid,” Sonny sighed, and he slumped down onto the floor next to you, pulling you into his arms. “He would be so proud of you,”

“It wasn’t meant to go down this way,” you whispered, afraid that if you spoke any louder you would break. “He wasn’t meant to be taken this soon.”

“I know darling, I know,” Sonny mumbled, resting his chin on the top of your head, blinking back tears himself.

At some point during the flight both you and Sonny had fallen asleep and were being woken up as you were landing. You didn’t know what life would hold for you now, you had never had to think of a life without Clay.

As the door to the C-17 opened, you pushed yourself to your feet, but stayed crouching, placing your hand over the casket, blinking back tears as you felt Sonny place his hand on your back.

“My nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If I get knocked down, I will get back up, every time.” You said holding back the tears.

“I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I'm never out of the fight.” Sonny and Jase said as everyone gathered around the casket, followed by the rest of the team as you all spoke in unison.

“We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depends on me. Our training is never complete. We train for war, we fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required, yet guided by the principles I serve to defend. Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed.” Everyone said as their voices broke

“And I will not fail.” You sobbed as you all stood around the casket ready to bring your fallen brother home. Ray took a step back allowing you and Jason to be at the front.

Little did you know that things would get a lot harder, you didn’t know at the time but you were currently pregnant, more than likely from one of the many times that you and Clay snuck off to find somewhere quiet on the base to have a bit of alone time. And now more than ever you would need to rely on the strength of the team to get you through.

@chibsytelford @mrsmarvelous1995 @supervalcsi @talicat713 @disasterfandoms @bravo-four-seal-team @jasonbabymama @jayhalsteadfan-2417 @lotsoflovefromlea @seik-o @velvetcardiganbucky @phoenixhalliwell @pancakeisreading @itsonautopilot @pinkrockstar19 @galaxysanduniversesinmymind @softi92 @abby-splace @theysayitscrazy @thelovelyleo23 @innerpaperexpertcloud

[theysayitscrazy]

Girl here's somethings for you - Bravo is chaotic, we know Metal LOVES reading and sleeping, he always has a book or is napping, unless hes crushing skulls. He's emotionless and soulless looking, Bravo is a little confused when he shows up to the deployment barbecue with his girlfriend, hes all smiles, she seems quiet and shy, looks like she could break in half if the wind changes directions, Bravo questions the reader over her sanity (bonus turns out shes a bounty hunter, and was a homicide detective but got bored with that job.)

LOL Thanks for this. Got the creative juices flowing IMMEDIATELY.

Metal's Girl

Scott Carter x Reader

Full Metal x Reader

Tag List: @rebelwrites @bravo-four-seal-team @heathermann200

Shoot me a message if you wanna be added to my tag list. 

The sun’s shining, music is blasting, and the beers are flowing. It’s the traditional pre-deployment BBQ at Blackburn’s. Sonny’s grilling at the pit BBQ up the hill, Brock’s tossing a ball to Cerberus; Ray, Trent, Lisa, and Clay are playing a game of corn hole, Blackburn and Jason are sitting near the coolers, beers in hands as they discuss the upcoming Stanley Cup Finals.

The team is all assembled, all except for Full Metal.

“Dude, is Metal coming? Or is he too cool for tradition?” Clay asked the group as a whole.

“Dude is too cool for a lot of things,” Jason grinned.

“He’ll be here,” Trent nodded. “He was waiting for someone.”

“What do you mean, ‘he was waiting for someone’?” Clay asked. “Like he’s seeing someone?” he clarified.

There was a rumble of laughter from the group. “Like Metal could put up with a woman for longer than a night?”

“Does he even have emotions?” Sonny asked from up the hill.

Brock’s eyes got wide, “He’s like emotionless and soulless looking. What do you think the girl is like?”

“Do we know it’s a girl?” Ray asked, looking to Trent.

Trent shrugged, “He said, he was seeing someone a while back. I didn’t ask much more. I texted him a bit ago to see if he was coming. He said he was waiting for Y/N name to get off work.”

Chaos erupted around the backyard, as Bravo all start talking at once. All asking Trent a million questions about Metal’s personal life.

~*~

Bravo was chaos, as usual when Scott pulled up to Blackburn’s his pickup truck. Even from the street, you could see them all yelling and shouting over one another. Your hands were wrapped tight around his arm, and he chuckled when they clenched his bicep a little tighter.

He knew you were nervous about meeting the team for the first time. He talked them up for the last couple months you’d been together. They’d become this larger-than-life entity, that was super important to Scott. Even in their dysfunctional, out of sorts, family dynamic that Scott liked to laugh about in private.

He claimed that he loved riling them up, in subtle ways, so they’d erupt into chaos trying to figure out who had done what and why. You had rolled your eyes at him when he said he pretended to be soulless and emotionless killer. “Cause you aren’t?” you shot back at him.

His smirk was deadly.

Scott looked over at the chaos that was Bravo when he shut the truck off. You got out of the truck and fixed your clothes. A simple sun dress of red and yellow flowers that played nicely with your tan. You had braided your hair back to combat the heat of the day and wrapped a strip of a Bravo Team bandana around the end.

You pulled the end of the braid over your shoulder and played with end of your hair.

Scott looked down at you after walked around the truck to meet you. He took the end of your hair out of your hands and holds your hand, while smiling reassuringly. “No need to be nervous. They’re just a bunch of overgrown puppies. Besides, they’re afraid of me, one look from me and they’ll shut up.”

You laugh and glance over at the group who have notice your appearance and are now watching you two. “Ah shit,” you murmur.

Scott’s hearty laugh puts a shy smile on your face, and you follow him toward the group, gripping his hand tightly.

~*~

“Dude, she’s tiny,” Clay murmurs as they notice Metal pull up with a chick in his pickup truck.

She’s wearing a sundress covered in red and yellow flowers and looks wholesome and pure.

“She looks like she could break in half if the wind changes,” Sonny says in awe.

“She’s like a foot shorter than him,” Jason chuckles.

“Guys,” Lisa admonishes, successfully scolding them with a look.

Blackburn chuckles and breaks away from the group, doing his duties a host, and greets Metal and his girl. “Welcome to the party,” he grins, “glad you could make it, Metal.”

Metal’s grin has Bravo on edge. “Eric, thanks for having us. This is my girlfriend, Y/N,” he introduces.

~*~

You’re eventually introduced to everyone there, all of Bravo and their families and support staff. There’s a lot of names, and you are positive you forgot half of them already, but Scott’s never too far from you and his easy smiles when he glances at you, are reassuring.

You can feel the intrigue in the air. Bravo is in chaos and you’re the cause, they’ve even started questioning your sanity for dating Scott. “I mean, he’s a stone-cold killer,” Sonny tries to reason with you at one point in the night.

You grin and say, “And you don’t kill in your profession?”

Sonny immediately went on the defense. “But like, he enjoys it.”

“Are you sure about that?” you counter.

Sonny is left gaping when Scott comes up behind you and wraps an arm around your waist. You look over your shoulder at him to see him looking down at you with a sweet smile on his face. “Are you causing trouble over here?” he asks.

“Nah, wouldn’t dream of it,” you answer and push up on your tippy toes to press a kiss to his lips.

He meets you halfway and presses a quick kiss to your lips with a smile. Poor Sonny is still gaping as he watches the two of you. Scott chuckles as he turns to him. “You all right there, Quinn?” Scott asks him.

“Yeah,” Sonny mutters and walks away.

You turn and grin up at your man. “Stop fuckin with everyone,” you say as he wraps his arms around your waist.

“Can’t help it, it’s too easy.”

~*~

“Dude, I don’t get it,” Clay murmurs as he watches Metal with his girl.

“I know,” Jason chuckles, “He seems so… not Full Metal.”

“He seems happy,” Ray says.

“He said he really likes this one,” Trent explains.

“Huh,” Sonny grunts, watching Scott and Y/N make eyes at each other over by the food table.

“She seems so quiet and shy,” Blackburn adds.

“I tried to ask her if she knew what she was getting herself into with someone like Metal,” Clay admits.

“You didn’t,” Lisa groans.

“She seemed confused. Said ‘Scott was a perfect gentleman,’,” Clay answered.

“A perfect gentleman?” Ray asks, turning to Clay.

Clay shrugged.

“I tried to tell her that he was a stone-cold killer,” Sonny admits.

“The fuck?” Lisa smacks him.

“I tried to tell her about why they call him ‘Full Metal’,” Jason admits.

The guys groan and shake their heads. “What’d she say to that?” Lisa asks, finally on board.

“Metal walked up before I could start. He had this goofy grin on his face and started kissing her. I had to walk away,” Jason admits.

The guys chuckle.

“I did mention to her that he had a bit of a reputation around base,” Lisa finally admits.

~*~

You laugh as you lift the neck of the beer bottle to your lips. You take a sip and smirk at Scott. “Your team is in an uproar tonight,” you tell him as you survey the patio.

His laugh is rich and full as he pulls you against his side. “They’re in chaos tonight. It’s hysterical.”

“You always have to fuck with everyone,” you shake your head.

~*~

As the night winds down to an end, Sonny can’t take the suspense anymore. Metal and Y/N are getting ready to leave and he stops them as they’re gathering their food. “Okay, I gotta know,” he starts.

Metal turns and levels Sonny with dead look, but Y/N’s sweet smile has Sonny turning to her instead. “What’s up Sonny?” Y/N asks.

“I gotta know, how’d the two of you meet?” Sonny asks.       

Y/N grins and shrugs a shoulder. “I’m a homicide detective with Virginia Beach PD. Scott was a… person of interest, in a case I worked last year. He ran, I chased him down and slammed him on the hood of my car. He made a snappy comment, I made a snappy comment, and hauled him in for questioning. Turned out he wasn’t the guy we were looking for, and we had quite a bit in common, so I let him buy me dinner.”

Sonny’s mouth drops open in shock.

“You’re a homicide detective?” Clay questions in awe.

“Yeah, ten years now,” Y/N answers with a coy smile.

Metal grins down at his girl like she hung the moon and says, “She’s good with the handcuffs too.”

Y/N grins up at her man and grabs his hand before she turns back to Bravo as a whole. “Good night. It was nice meeting you all.”

They leave, and Bravo erupts into utter chaos.

“What do you mean she’s a homicide detective?” Sonny shouts.

“Metal was a person of interest?” Jason asks.

“How the hell did she slam him on the hood of her car?” Blackburn questions.

“She’s tiny!” Brock says in disbelief.

Trent laughs. “He was completely smitten by her.”

“Did you see the way he was smiling all night?” Lisa asked.

“Dude’s in love,” Ray added.

“What the fuck is happening?” Sonny shouts.

[yurtletheturtlehenderson]

COSMIC - S1:E4; Chapter Four, The Body - [Pt. 2]

A Will Byers x Male!Reader Series

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘠/𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘥𝘥 𝘴𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧.

|| 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕 ||

"We keep losing the signal, but you heard it, right?"

The five of us were gathered in Mike's basement once more. Lucas and Dustin had nearly broken down my door earlier this morning in a frantic scramble. They had both began talking really fast but I caught bits and pieces, something about Mike hearing Will. That was enough to get me out of my room, regardless of my health, or whatever the hell is wrong with me.

It took me less than five minutes to get dressed and before I knew it, I was on my bike and in the lead to Mike's. When we got there he quickly ushered us down to the basement and that is how we all ended up sitting by El, listening to her fiddle with the supercomm. The voice I heard was hard to believe but unmistakably Will's.

I knew that a big part of me was hoping so desperately that he was alive that I was willing to believe anything. I know it's not healthy, but I couldn't resist giving into the belief that my best friend is alive.

"Yeah, I heard a baby," Lucas all but sighed.

"What?" Mike asked, seemingly astonished.

"Mike, you obviously tapped into a baby monitor. It's probably the Blackburns' next door." Lucas sighed, wanting to believe that Will was alive.

I could tell he wanted it to be true. But I guess that's where we are different, Lucas is better at sticking to reality and reason. Something I often envied.

"Uh, did that sound like a baby to you? That was Will!" Mike said matter-of-factly.

Lucas rolled his eyes, clearly getting frustrated.

"Mike..."

"Lucas, you don't understand. He spoke last night. Words! He was singing that weird song he loves. Even El heard him!"

My head snapped up. I had been silent throughout this whole endeavor, keeping a safe distance from the circle, still not completely sure if I was sick enough to contaminate anyone. But I spoke up.

"Should I Stay or Should I Go? By the Clash?" My voice was slightly urgent.

"Yes! At least I think it's by th– you know what? It doesn't matter. The point is," he looked around the room to party one by one, his eyes landed on me last with a knowing look. "I think there is a good chance Will is alive."

I gave a small smile at Mike, communicating my gratitude silently.

"Well if El heard him–" Lucas began, annoyed.

"Are you sure you're on the right channel?" Dustin cut in.

"I don't think it's about that. I think, somehow, she's channeling him."

"Like... like Professor X."

"Yeah."

Lucas looked to me, then the boys. "Are you actually believing this crap?"

"I don't know, I mean..." Dustin sighed. "Do you remember when Will fell off his bike and broke his finger? He sounded a lot like that."

Lucas gave us an incredulous look. "Did you guys not see what I saw? They pulled Will's body out of the water. He's dead!" Lucas screamed, his eyes landed on me long enough for him to see the pain in my eyes.

A lump in my throat grew large, and my palms became warm again. My eyes stung as I blinked away the tears, never breaking eye contact with Lucas. I stood up abruptly and excused myself in a hoarse whisper.

"Y/n..." Lucas sighed after me, only to be met with the bathroom door swinging shut.

My palms gripped the counter as I tried catching my breath. The salty tears escaped my eyes and I looked into the mirror to see what a mess I was. I really didn't want to have another anxiety attack. Not now. It's the last thing I need.

I wiped my eyes and blew my nose in some toilet paper. I grabbed an extra washcloth and set it aside. I turned on the faucet and waited for the temperature to cool down. I could hear the muffled voices of the boys, and then some scattered shuffling. When I was finally satisfied with the cool temperature of the water I ran the washcloth under the sink, soaking it in cold water.

I rung out the damp cloth over the sink before bringing it to my cheeks. The cool soft cloth felt refreshing on my heated face, and I put pressure over my eyes to bring down the swelling. It seemed to do the trick. I took an extra moment to steady my breathing, and I brought my hand up to rub my neck, sighing. However, I recoiled my hand when my neck was met with a harsh sting of heat. I looked at my hands, confused.

'The water couldn't have been that hot, could it? But, that...'

Too many questions arose from that simple theory, so I quickly dismissed it. Knowing that the longer I stay, the more worried the boys will become. And all I want is to know what the hell is going on. I open the door and rejoin my friends.

However, I don't see El or Mike.

Just Dustin and Lucas digging out some old boxes. Dustin noticed the look of confusion on my face and fills me in.

"We think if we get El to a stronger radio, like the Heathkit at school, she will be able to get a stronger connection to Will. We just need to find her a disguise. Mike is upstairs helping her out on makeup."

I nod, joining the boys and begin digging through another box, rifling through the many abandoned clothes and costumes.

"Y/n? I'm sorry, I just–" Lucas speaks up softly.

"It's fine," I mumble, not bothering to look up from the box.

I know he is sorry, but I also know that if I dwell on it any longer I will only grow more upset. I hear him sigh, and return to the box. An old pink dress I can only assume once belonged to Nancy had caught my eye. I pulled it out of the box and showed it to the guys.

Lucas gave a firm nod, and Dustin proudly showed off a blonde wig he had found. I lead the way upstairs and handed El the dress and wig which I had taken from Dustin. I gave her a small smile, indicating that I was okay and not mad at her.

She seemed more comfortable with the idea of changing alone but insisted I help with the wig, she seemed very confused as to what it was. The boys were busy talking, but I was the only one who noticed her peaking her head from behind the door.

I slipped inside and closed the door behind me. She looked nervous but I didn't blame her. I smiled.

"You look great. And you'll do fine, I promise. Mike and I have got your back, and so does Dustin and Lucas, as much as they might deny it."

These words of comfort seem to earn a grateful smile from her. I return the gesture and grab the wig off of the bed.

"Alright, this may be different from what you're used to but it grows on you. Longer hair, I mean." I chuckle to myself at my unintended pun, knowing she probably wouldn't get it.

Embarrassed, I shake a way the comment and I adjust the wig on her, helping her to straighten out some loose hairs.

"And you are done. Are you ready?"

El looked to me, a thoughtful expression on her face before nodding. I open the door and step out to see the boys all turn in unison.

They look to me before I silently step aside to reveal El in her disguise. She held herself in a different way, I could tell. It wasn't bad but she didn't seem to know either. It was new. And Mike. Well, Mike couldn't take his eyes off of her.

Then again, what else is new? I smiled as I watched the scene unfold.

"Wow. She looks–" Dustin perked up.

"Pretty." Mike finished, his jaw practically on the floor.

El smiled at him shyly, a small blush dusted her cheeks. Mike seemed to realize what he had said and tried to play it off.

"Good. You look pretty good."

I rolled my eyes at his behavior and watched as El walked over to the mirror, Mike following. She seemed entranced at what she saw in the reflection. I can only imagine what it must be like for her.

She looked longingly into the mirror before wistfully whispering.

"Pretty." There was a pause, and her face seemed to fall a bit. "Good."

I pressed my lips into a firm line at the sight.

I just hope this works.

[mustrreadalaska]

100 Things Will Smith Could've slapped instead of Chris Rock

Will Smith slapped for love so I’m slapping this ever older topic with my long E.T fingers. Should you slap someone? No, probably not. I wouldn’t recommend it. Often slapping someone tends to make things worse but that being said lets pretend what else he could’ve slapped if it was limitless.

Hitler

The Editorial Board of (any news organization)

Hillary Clintons need to be heard

Whoever said Pelosi should write a poem

Donald Trumps Ass

Superman

Isis

The KKK and the fashion director

Sith

Mosquitoes

people at the gym who sit on their phone not using the machine

Josh Hawley as he put his fist up on January 6th

Milo Yiannopoulos to make him gay again

Dick Cheney

Elden Lord Bosses I can’t beat (all of them)

George RR Martin so he will write faster

The Lich King

Elon Musk’s Bank account so we can all pick up the money off the ground like peasants

The primordial earth 

All the dinosaurs

Ted Bundy 

Anyone who wrote a letter to Ted Bundy

Putin

Racism formed into an evil god

Richard B. Spencer after he was already punched

Jesus but the slap brings him back to life

The concept of war

Journalists who want nuclear war

Glenn Greenwald every time he says the word Russia

Tucker Carlsons home windows so he has to spend hours cleaning

Godzilla

Maxine Waters for shoving and murdering Michael Tracey

Transphobia

The world of Harry Potter

Disneyland Prices

The homophobia out of Dave Bronson of Anchorage Alaska

Winter

The gay need to take a selfie

Kanye West each time he complains about Kim

Remixed music that only adds clapping

Pregnancy pictures 

Kathy Griffin so she has another story to share

The American forefathers 

Chris Rock again

The Rock and Vin Diesel well they fight

The Shark from Jaws

Cheeks

The beat for any song

God

Chris Rocks shadow self

Lactose Intolerance

The Poor

The Rich

Willow Smiths hand because her music career is fantastic

The walls of a house where the Ghost Adventures bros are walking around being scared

Another comedian with a bad joke

The ninth cup of coffee out of someone's hand

Naraku’s decapitated head after he tries to flee in battle

Alex Jones really thick neck

Meat 

Tim Pool’s beanie

Captain America’s Ass

Chris Evans Ass

Thanos

The Marvel Universe to end it all

Gwyneth Paltrow vagina candle

Adam Carolla for every bad joke

Julius Caesar after he was stabbed

Someone in need of cpr 

Independence day alien ship

Abusive League of Legend players

Britney Spears Dad

Medusa 

Zeus 

Cher after she says do you believe in life after love

someone who won’t wake up after their alarm goes off

The Terminator 

Jay Z for thinking even for a second he should cheat on Beyoncé

U2 for putting an album on everyone's phone

Nicki Minaj cousin in Trinidad to help his balls

Lorne Michaels for every bad snl sketch which is most of them

Corporations that advocate for the gays and then donate to people who would alt delete them

Secretly gay republicans who use glory holes

The opponent in the new Olympic slapping sport

Marsha Blackburn’s hair

Devimon in digimon for each pun made

people who steal memes

NFT People

Scammers of NFT

People who ignore the scamming of NFT

NFT celebrities  

Anyone who says they are “just asking questions” as they push conspiracy theories and not actually try to answer the question

The chess game you’re losing

Martha who is being racist to the waiter after church

Lucifer

The governments incredibly slow process of getting anything done

Santa for giving you coal every Christmas 

The Gym crush for not crushing you

E.T

Will Smith

[tinyboxxtink]

“The Man Of Your Dreams”

Y’all. Y’ALL. 

I was gonna make this a series but then I was like “Aw nah I can wrap it up neatly in one go”.

And that “one go” took 3 and 1/2 hours and 10 pages!!!!!!!! (on GoogleDocs anyway...) 

I went with my “keep dreaming about a man and then you go off to find him” idea.

The dating app one might be for a longer series, idk yet.

But this, this is my baby.

Like I said, I had this dream. Specifically the first and last scene. And ya’ll while I wrote the crescendo, I played Tyler Blackburn’s “Can’t Love Me.” Specifically starting at 2:11. I highly recommend playing it as you read from:

“Until out of nowhere--“Y/N???””

But that’s just me. I replayed that scene with the music about a thousand times in my head, I won’t lie to you.

I hope you love this as much as I do!!

Tag List

@wanniiieeee

@dumauier

@word-scribbless

@objection-argumentative

@chasingeverybreakingwave

------

“Oh no it’s happening again.”

“What?! No not now,”

“Yeah I feel it, the pulling,”

“Dammit! No no no…” He grabbed you on both of your sides and pulled you into his chest as tightly as he could, but you knew it wouldn’t help; You were fading, and the last words you hear were:

“I will find you!!” 

----------------

Suddenly, you woke up in your bed in a cold sweat. 

“Dammit...not again,” You shook your head. “No, no no no NO!!!!” You let yourself have a moment of breakdown, before immediately grabbing the pencil and giant pad of paper from under your bed. You had to get it down before it faded, again. The face, HIS face. You furiously filled in the lines on his face you had missed before, and you finally got the dimples on his mouth right. However, it was the eyes that drove you most insane.

Half filled in while the rest of his face was taking shape, his eyes were the one thing you could never quite get. Not that you hadn’t seen them enough, you had been having dreams about this man for over a month straight now. Every night, the same man. But it didn’t feel like dreaming, not in the slightest. It felt very much like being awake in this world, everything was so real.

He was so real.

And so, after a week of these “episodes”, you decided to yourself that this couldn’t be a coincidence, that it was NOT a mix of your subconscious making up scenarios in your head, it was real. This man existed somewhere, and you were going to find him. 

However the question of “How” was still very annoyingly present. Sure you and this man had talked about everything, seriously EVERYTHING. Likes, dislikes, career, life stories--- well, at least you were pretty sure you had.

 Some conversations in your dream world were completely crystal clear in your mind-- 

When he was six and all he wanted was a red bike, and come Christmas morning it wasn’t there. He had stormed around his mom’s apartment having a total temper tantrum until his abuelita asked him to check if she had left her keys out in the hall from last minute shopping. He opened the door to reveal a brand new, shiny red 10 speed bike propped against their doorway.

“We lived on the 10th floor, with no elevator. My mom and abuelita carried that thing up 10 flights of stairs just so I’d have a happy Christmas morning,” He had told you with tears in his eyes.

And then others, containing any real information about where to find him, were a blur. Specific details like his name, his job, even where he currently lived-- they sounded like garbled nonsense when you tried to recall them.

The Universe is a sadistic bastard.

But that conversation about the bike-- it was so specific and so detailed that there was no way your mind could have made it up. No way. But all you knew was that at some point in his childhood he lived with his mom and abuela in a 10th story apartment somewhere in New York City. That’s it. 

And one more thing that you couldn’t shake-- his touch. 

There had been a dream where he had asked to kiss you, to which you happily agreed. He had pulled you close into his arms, his hands ran through your hair as he pressed his lips against yours. And every dream since then, you two were always either holding hands or holding each other, or touching in any capacity-- as if you were both trying to memorize what it felt like.

Of course this still being “a dream”, a lot of the times your “dates” with this man were just playing out themselves, and you were blissfully unaware that they were even dreams. So you’d never think of asking “real” questions like where to meet or something. Only those few moments before you would wake would you realize “Oh that’s right, this isn’t real.” And by then it was too late.

But today was the day. You were sure of it. You had finally finished your drawing of your “dream man”, apart from the filled in eyes. Only an eyeline shaped hole rested in the middle of his perfect face. 

“Okay, that is just horrifying” You heard your roommate’s voice behind you.

“What? It’s perfect, Shi!” You defended your drawing. 

Sure you had hesitated telling your best friend of 10 years about your “situation”, but once you decided that you were going to find him, you knew you’d need her help. And so, after a very long conversation over a LOT of drinks, you had convinced her to help you. Well, reluctantly help you. 

“Well it’ll be no problem trying to find a guy with NO EYES,” She giggled.

“Shut up, I just...I can’t get them right,” 

“Can’t get them right? Girl have you or have you not told me that you have studied that man’s face EVERY night for the past 6 weeks?” 

“Yeah but….they’re so...perfect,” You sighed-- the gaping eye hole was mocking you. It was like the Universe saying “Good luck finding him without THESE!!!!” 

But you knew, you just knew in your heart of hearts that if you saw his eyes in real life, you’d know. You’d know instantly. You had this-- look, between you. The way he looked at you, the love and passion in his beautiful green eyes.

You couldn’t draw that on paper.

“Well just how do you expect us to make a “missed connection” flier with a demon looking guy like that?” 

“Look Shiloh, it’s a start ok?” 

“It’s not! You need those eyes, eyes are the most distinguishing trait on a person’s face!” She shook the paper at you.

“I know that!!!” you scoffed.

“Alright well...just, try again tonight yeah?” She put a hand on your shoulder.

“Yeah alright,”

----

The next night you did all the nightly rituals you had read and researched up on how to “lucid dream”. Eating certain foods, meditating before bed, repeating mantras as you fell asleep-- sometimes they helped you take control of the dreams, sometimes not.

But this has never happened.

-----------

You were suddenly “awake”, in a park. Wait, this wasn’t just some generic “Dream” park. You knew this park. You immediately started scanning the sights around you-- kids playing and running around, people talking on a fountain-- The fountain. You knew that fountain. Your eyes darted quicker around the scenic picture for a statute, and there it was.

This was Central Park. And not just Central Park, a very specific part of Central Park that you passed most days on your way to work. Could this just be the “coincidence” normal dream stuff seeping in? Just images of your day being played out in your REM cycle? I mean he wasn’t even--

“Dream girl,” His voice came from behind you. 

You spun to face the fountain and saw him in an off white cream colored suit, with a pink tie. His hair was in a coif, and for the first time maybe ever, you noticed him carrying a briefcase. 

“Hey you,” You smiled, pulling him into a long, deep kiss. 

“So, Central Park today huh? You know you could’ve told me that beforehand I wouldn’t have paid an Uber to drive --- blocks.” You noticed the blurb in his number. Wait, wait this wasn’t happening.

“Wait, what?” You were suddenly “awake” .

“My office? It’s just about ---- blocks that way,” He pointed forward-- South. 

His office was south from Central Park, only a few blocks away. Within walking distance.

“What else?” You grabbed him.

“What else? Baby are you ok…?” He backed up one step in concern.

“Dammit, snap out of it abogado!!!” You snapped at him, leaving you both in shock-- but for two different reasons. 

He was suddenly “awake” in this world too, but you had just called him a name in spanish that you did not know the meaning of.

“Since when do you know spanish?” He asked.

“It’s spanish? QUICK tell me what it means!!!” You shook him.

“Abogado means--” 

-----------

And he was gone. It was gone. You had been pulled suddenly from your dream world, something that had never happened before. It wasn’t even morning yet, the sun was barely peeking out from the skyline. You had never gotten that close to getting details from him, NEVER.

Maybe the Universe was catching on. 

You grabbed your phone from the charger beside you and furiously typed “Abogado” into google translate. And there it was, in black and white:

Lawyer.

This guy was a lawyer, who worked a few blocks south of Central Park. If he was real. You sighed to yourself as you put your phone down and went back to sleep.

-----------------------------

And you were in the park again. 

“Hey, there you are! Where’d you go?” the “abogado” asked you with his dreamy smile. Wait, was he “asleep” again? And why did you pick up here? He knew you were gone? WAS THIS PLACE REAL?

“ABOGADO,” You shouted at him like a crazy person.

“...You don’t know spanish, why do you know-- Oh my god,” The man was suddenly cognizant of everything.

“Baby! Aw, baby girl I’ve missed you..” He pulled you into a kiss. You let him for a second, then pulled away quickly.

“Look, I don’t know what’s happening but this--” You gestured around the park. “This is near where I live. In reality,” 

His eyes widened as he recognized where you were. “This is a few blocks from my office-- in reality,” 

“Really? Really.” You were becoming frantic.

“I mean, if this is at all real, and you’re real--” He began looking around the park.

“I’M real, are YOU real?” You couldn’t believe he was questioning YOUR existence.

“I think the fact that we’re both questioning each other’s existence, might be either brain death or some kind of reality where we both do indeed exist,” He smirked.

“God you’re smart, why did I not know this before?”

“...I don’t know, we don’t really get into details usually, do we?” 

“No but now-- oh my god, NOW,” You grabbed him again excitedly.

“Now what? Oh, I love that guy’s suit…” He peered over your shoulder.

“Rafael will you FOCUS?” You both stopped and stared at each other as soon as the name left your lips.

“...I-I’m sorry, what?” He was turning pale

“Rafael...w-why did I just call you Rafael?”

“....Rafael’s my name,” He stared at you in disbelief. He actually looked shocked that you knew his name. 

“Y/N,” He finally spoke.

“Y/N is my name!!!!” You squealed. “This is happening, this is happening Rafael!!!!” You grabbed him in a hug but he still stood there in a daze.

“Oh god are you fading?” 

“N-No, I just...you have a name,” 

“...I..yeah?” You scrunch your nose. “Did...do...do you not think I’m real?” 

“No!” He shook his head. “I mean I do think you’re real, I just...this...this hasn’t happened before,” He stroked your cheek with his thumb, staring at it while he did it. Like he was memorizing the feeling of his skin on yours.

“I know, this is the most detailed “episode” we’ve ever had,” You pressed his hand harder against your cheek, memorizing the feeling of his hands over yours. 

“Tomorrow,” He stopped stroking your face and looked at you very seriously. 

“What?” 

“I-I feel it, I’m waking up-- damn early court time,” He grumbled. “But tomorrow-- er, today,” He grabbed both of your hands and squeezed them as hard as he could.

“If we are both real, we’ll meet here at this exact spot at 3:30 today, yeah?” You could see his body slowly disintegrating in front of you like Peter Parker at the end of Infinity War.

All you could do was nod as you felt yourself waking up, but you gave everything you had to grab him in one last kiss….

-------------

BEEP BEEP BEEEP!!!!!!

Your alarm was yelling at you, but you were already wide awake. Today was the day. Today at 3:30, in Central Park, you were going to meet your dream man.

If he was real. 

-------

The minutes passed by like hours, he would pick the day you have off so you could just sit there and stare at your phone obsessively all day. Of course after you had taken at least 2 hours to make sure you looked absolutely perfect for your man. 

You wanted to look like his dream girl. 

Finally, it was 3:20. Shiloh had come home early to walk with you to the park, there was no way she was missing this. You wanted enough time to make sure you’d be there exactly at 3:30, not a minute after. You held hands with Shi as you entered the park’s gates and just a few yards away was the fountain area you had been in last night. 

“So...this is it,” Shiloh dropped your hands.

“I know....What time is it?” You shuddered with excitement.

“3:29-- you know maybe he’s not a stickler for time like you and needs to be obsessively early everywhere babe,” 

“He’s a lawyer, they’re usually pretty punctual,” You raised an eyebrow. “Plus, if he’s as excited as I am he will be here on time,” You were bouncing on your heels like a little girl.

“Well, it’s 3:30 now…” You both began to look around the area. You had brought the drawing so Shiloh had an idea of who she was looking for, although she still deemed it impossible without his eyes.

“Y’know he said he had court today, maybe it’s further away from here,” You spoke out loud, still scanning every inch of the park. You didn’t know who you were trying to convince more, Shiloh or yourself.

Every second that passed by, your heart broke into teenier tinier pieces. You felt sick to your stomach, you were shaking-- you needed to sit. 

Shiloh came and joined you on the side of the fountain and held you in her arms as the park suddenly began filling very quickly. There was some sort of event happening soon, and people were getting “good seats”.

“Wh-What? No, no you guys can’t be here!” You frantically began circling people. “How is he supposed to find me if you’re all surrounding this damn fountain? HOW?!”

“Y/N….Honey, chill…” Shiloh tried to pull you away, but you jumped onto the fountain to get away from her as the area continued to fill with people, even police began to survey the area-- they stared at you, whispering things into their walkies. They were going to ask you to get down. They were going to ask you to leave. They were going to make you lose your chance forever--- and you couldn’t have that.

“RAFAEL!!!!!!” You started screaming into the crowd. Several members of the crowd began turning and staring at you as you repeated the name over and over again, walking around on top of the fountain as you did. 

“Are you nuts you’re going to get us arrested!!”  Shiloh hissed, pulling on your arm.

“I don’t care--- RAFAEL!!!!!” You knocked her hand away and started screaming again.

“Ma’am, you’re going to need to come with us,” A Park Ranger started for your hand but you evaded it as you continued circling and screaming like an insane person.

“NO!!! I CAN’T!!!!! HE’LL BE HERE!!!! RAFAEL!!!!!!”

-------

“I mean, are you SURE it was this end of the park, Rafa?” Olivia Benson circled the same spot her and Rafael had been walking around for several minutes now. 

“Yeah, I’m sure! There was a statue--”

“There are a LOT of statues in here, Rafa. Did you see anything else in this ‘dream’?” 

“Look Liv, I appreciate you coming with me even though you don’t believe in this at all, but the snarkiness is not helping,” He folded his arms with a scowl.

“I’m sorry, I’ll--” Olivia was cut off mid-sentence by her walkie going off. “Benson.”

“Yeah hi, this is the CP patrol-- We heard you were around here, and I think we’ve got a-- what do you call it, special victim? This girl’s running around crazy yelling for some dude, I think she might be a few circuits short of a circuit board,” 

“Where are you?”

“The South Entrance by Lootney Fountain,” As those words rang out through her walkie, Rafael’s eyes widened. 

“The fountain…” He muttered, beginning to sprint across the park. “I forgot about the fountain!!!!!!”

-------

The CP Patrol had gotten you off the fountain and were trying to calm you down, but you wouldn’t stop yelling Rafael’s name. Until out of nowhere--

“Y/N???”

You’d know that voice anywhere. You jumped out of the cop’s reach and back onto the fountain where you could see over the crowd. Your eyes frantically searched when you saw a man running towards the fountain; from across the park, and then you saw his face.

It was Rafael.

The second you locked eyes, you both just stopped moving entirely. You were pretty sure you had stopped breathing. You could see everything in those big beautiful green eyes you had the hardest time putting down on paper. You saw the same thoughts running through his head as yours:

He was real. You were real.

“Y/N!!!!!!” He finally yelled, making the crowd turn to face him. He disappeared into the sea of people as you jumped down and began tearing through them like mad. 

“RAFAEL!!!!” You screamed, knocking people over left and right. He was sprinting across the lawn, more desperate to get to you than anything in his entire life.

“Y/N!!!!!!” You heard his voice again, and this time it was so much closer. So crisp and clear, just like it was in your dreams-- But this was real. It was really happening. You gave one last push through a group of stragglers to come upon a man huffing and puffing in a cream colored suit, with a pink tie. But he seemed to lose all signs of fatigue as you hurled yourself into his arms-- his real, open arms. He spun you around and kissed you deeper and harder than he ever had in any of your encounters. 

And it was real.

You felt it even more than the most detailed of dreams, his taste, the feel of his touch, his smell. You stood there locked in a kiss for several seconds, while Olivia waved off the coppers and Shiloh had broken through the crowd to see your very real dream man.

Finally, after convincing yourself to pull away from him, you looked into his eyes. His real, green eyes. You stroked his cheek while he kept the tightest grip around your waist, as if you were going to float away if he let up one second. 

“You’re real,” You blinked back tears.

“So are you,” He held back his own tears, stroking yours away from your cheeks. 

“I love you, Rafael,” You whispered, still scared to death you’d wake up at any moment.

“I love you, YN-- my dream girl,” He smiled back, pulling you into another long kiss.

That night you had normal dreams, which you didn’t mind in the slightest; because you slept in the arms of the man of your dreams.

[timesimmer]

Blackburne Household

Alaric took another step forward, his eyes trained on Nadya before him. The girl that he met in the meadow, with who he felt such a strong connection chanted with the others around her as the flames grew higher. Alaric noticed almost a blue spark coming from Nadya's hands. As they started to move around the fire, Nadya's eyes locked on Alaric standing next to the arch. She came to a sudden halt and the sparks from her hands disappeared. As the others stopped their movements the large flames of the fire died down. Nadya looked back at the other two and whispered something to them. Before Alaric knew it they disappeared between the trees. They both walked toward each other in silence, both waiting for the other to speak first.

Nadya held her arms behind her back and took a deep breath before she spoke, "Will you report us to the King?"

Alaric stared at her in shock, "Why would I report you?"

"Oh power is illegal here in Aethelmark," she takes a step back and puts her hands together. Nadya took a breath and as she pulled her hands apart a blue orb appeared floating between her hands. "We came here to use the magic left in this land to strengthen our power before we leave."

"Leave?" Alaric took a step forward, "Why would you leave?"

A sad smile came over Nadya's face as she looked down at the glowing orb, "Many believe spellcasters are monsters. Some in the village have become weary of us."

Alaric moves to stand behind her and touches her arm. He could feel the power of the orb vibrating through her. "You're not a monster," he whispered. "You're beautiful."

Suddenly, Nadya closed her hand and the orb disappeared. She turned around and placed her hand on his chest as Alaric pulled her closer by the waist. "My heart isn't in leaving you, but if I stay it would only put you in danger," Nadya said as she tried to pull away.

Alaric tightened his grip on her waist and pulled her closer till their lips touched in a soft kiss. He moved his hand from his waist and caressed her face as the kiss became more passionate. Finally, they parted slightly, both trying to catch their breath. Alaric looked into her eyes knowing that there was no way that he could let her go,

"I'm going with you."

[just2bubbly]

Perfect Now

Masterlist

TLC Ship Week 2021!

*written for tlcshipweek2021- kaider for prompt 'Song Day AU'

@kaiderforever

Summary:

He keeps the crown on her head making sure to not disturb her intricate yet beautiful braid.

"Now you, My Queen are perfectly ready!"

...

Last minute panicked thoughts can make a person desperate for escape, a mildly insecure Cinder looks for comfort in her boyfriend- one who is having a trip down his memory lane.

Ship: Kaider

Words: 2k

Genre: Hurt- Comfort, Trip down a memory lane

Prompt: 'Song Day AU'

Song: Perfect Now by Louis Tomlinson

__

*Post Winter

A/N: Some mild changes are made in the song lyrics to meet the Cinder's characters.

Bold Letters are Song Lyrics

Italics are memories

Plain words are present

Kai's Perspective:

You say to me your jeans don't fit You don't feel pretty and it's hard to miss

"Kai, I don't think this is a good idea- like I feel we should just stay inside..."

"Cinder, you do seem to realize that you are the one hosting the party?" he asked only to receive a nod for confirmation as she examined herself in the mirror.

"I don't think you can ditch your own party, one which has so many international leaders in it at least."

"Can't you just go and tell them I'm sick or something like that?" she lamented.

Now, this took him by surprise, Cinder had put hours and minutes to make the State Dinner cum Lunar Ball a success and seeing how she wanted to last-minute ditch it was strange.

"Hey, everything okay?" he questioned, standing behind her.

"Yeah," she said, offering him a short smile, "Just stressed out to back out last minute."

I wish that you could see my point of view As someone staring back at you

Nudging his head in the crook of her neck, he placed his lips at the base of the collar bone, "Don't worry, you would do good!"

"Easy for you to say- I'm panicking on the inside! This is my first time trying to act like royalty. I'm even wearing a pretty dress hosting a big parade of leaders like the Queen of Luna. I just don't want anyone to think I'm the incompetent Queen who has no idea of what ruling a country is- I really don't want to come out as a fool to anyone," she rambled.

"Cinder, look at me," he asked and stared into her eyes, "You will do fantastic and not come out as an ignorant ruler to anyone. I will be there to help you through it remember?"

"I don't think asking you how to use the cutlery at the dinner table is the best thing to do to make an impression," she sassed him.

"Now that depends on the person sitting near you- you won't want Queen Camilla seeing you be unroyal enough to not know how to hold your spoon now would you?" he retorted.

"Well, I'm worried about that too," she admitted, clearly going back to the same topic from which Kai was trying to drive her away.

Sighing he asked, "Is this because of what happened the day before yesterday?"

Reluctantly she nodded her head, her reflection seen in the mirror before them.

"C'mon no one cares even in the slightest if you hugged me before all the masses of people and journalists, I have heard we are quite trending in today's news-"

"Kai, you are not helping!"

"Maybe you could go for a kiss next time," he suggested.

"Ha, as if I would, after what happened?!" she exclaimed.

"Who cares about what Camilla and Andrea think anyways?"

Cinder had made a nice fuss in her own mind trying to regret her decision of bear-hugging Kai before everyone, which on his part he was delighted about. And maybe Queen Camilla and Prime Minister Andrea had been a bit too loud about speaking of Cinder's rash actions.

"Hmm.. yeah. Obviously, I do," she said, clearly not paying attention to her words.

"Did you sleep yesterday?" he asked.

"A little bit," she hesitantly admitted.

"How long?" he demanded.

"A few hours maybe-" he shot her a glare which did its work as she answered,"- two hours."

"Stars above, if not for this ball. I would have put you to bed."

"What's the hurry, Kai?" she asked, making the tips of his ears flush light pink.

"Okay- okay. I think you are fine now that you want to flirt with me!" he affirmed.

She smirked and moved around to face him, setting her hands on his shoulders and laughed, "Scared of me, are you, Emperor?"

He pulled her closer, holding her in a warm embrace and whispered, "Aren't you wickedly evil, Your Majesty?"

He leaned in closer, capturing her lips with his own, tasting the red lipstick she had put. Before they could initiate anything more intimate, there was a knock on the door followed by Iko's voice, "You two should really come out before someone makes the right assumptions about what you are doing in there!"

Now this made both of them flush with embarrassment as they gave flustered looks towards the door anticipating the arrival of Iko inside. She never came saving them both from a lot of discomforts.

"Well, I think we should get going?" he questioned.

"Yeah, I think I need a moment," she replied.

"Then I would-"

She cut off his words, asking," Would you please stay here?"

"Uh- Sure, Cinder," he replied.

"Thank You, Kai." She said looking relieved.

He decided to sit on the armchair till she picked herself up to look like a regal Queen. With silence for his only companion, his mind wandered around, thinking about the person standing a few feet away from him.

One Friday night when we're all out I turn to you and you're looking down And you don't wanna dance I know you love to dance You never stop given half the chance

"He looked at her only to find her avoiding his gaze. Staying back he asked, "Hey, what happened?"

"Uh- nothing!" she lied terribly.

"Cinder are you going to really make me believe that?"

"I don't know but just buy that lie," she pleaded.

"You don't want to get your hands dirty?"

"I don't feel like myself right now."

Surprised he incredulously asked, "You, a mechanic doesn't want to go under a podship and get your hands dirty?"

"No," she muttered.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"You just seem stranger than usual self."

"Trust me, Kai, I don't want to become dirty before my first diplomat meeting as the Queen while another mechanic is already present there," she insisted.

"Fine then.""

Just keep your head up, love, keep your head up Don't hide away, don't ever change

"Kai, do you think I should get a Garan's device too?"

"Well, I don't think you need to have that device. Like irrespective of what people tell you and what you try to convince yourself- you are a Lunar. The Lunar gift is surely fabulous- like don't get me wrong but you can feel someone's bio-electricity, it's sorta a blessing in disguise unless you decide to use it for the wrong purposes- I know you won't do that. Practically, I think it might help in Earth-Lunar political relations if you have the device but it does not really make much of a difference. Winter has it yet stupid leaders think she is manipulating them with her beauty. I think you should not install it- the gift is a part of you. Being Lunar- It is what you are! Don't change it because some angry citizen calls you a Lunar witch. You are what you are and I love you for that!"

"Kai if I would have been there I would have kissed you senseless!"

"Good, I don't deserve anything less after making such a sentimental speech," he said, smirking.

Keep your head up love, keep your head up Don't look away, don't look away 'Cause everybody's looking at you now My, oh, my

That time when she had addressed the issues on cyborgs and Lunar- discrimination on Earth. Her eyes were ablaze with passion as she happens to look determined to make a difference. To change the wrong-doings around her, to change the age-old prejudices in the society- to change the future of both her nation and her kind.

"-I believe that together we can make a difference. I hope the sufferings of people in the society decline and look forward to the situations changing for cyborgs, Lunars and Earthens. I look forward to a world where we can live together harmoniously. I consider that no one is liable for the nature of misery and treatment that my kind has suffered in the past. I trust we can change the world for every one of us- for the better of my kind."

Even when your tears are falling down Still somehow You're perfect now

""I'm so relieved that I can't cry right now."

"Cinder, I told you it would have been fine and I'm sorry... Besides I care- "

"Kai, they happen to call me names. I did not want to look like a sick crybaby before them who cried just because I was called an 'ugly Lunar slash Cyborg','" she fumed.

Seeing how she needed comfort more than ever, he hugged her, drawing circles on her back- trying to loosen the tension in her shoulders.

"Cinder, even if you were ugly crying right now, you would have been the most beautiful person in the world," he reassured, meaning them.

"You are perfect just the way you are!""

You never do but if you asked me to I'd tell the truth lying next to you 'Cause you're the only one When it's said and done You make me feel like being someone good to you

He wondered if he should tell her how beautiful she was. She was the perfect mixture of strength, compassion and determination. She never fetched compliments, never asked Kai how she looked, if she was pretty. That did not stop Kai from showering her with affections that she had been lost on in her early years.

Even at your worst You steal the scene and it's unrehearsed

"Queen Selene Channary Jannali Blackburn was sighted in the outer sector TC-6 helping a young man of 20 named, Mr. Stiton. He tells that he was facing difficulties when Her Majesty encountered him during her tour to sector LM-14. He states that she helped him fix one of the technical difficulties faced while flying a podship. Her Majesty previously had worked as a mechanic in the city of New Beijing. Sources tell she was the best in town."

Kai wondered who these so-called sources were. Somehow Cinder managed to excel at unexpected works- even when she was not trying, she had everyone's attention.

'Every insecurity as a neon sign as bright as day'

"Kai, I really think I should cover my hand! Just pass me the glo-"

"No! You are not wearing the gloves to cover your hand," he denied, making sure to keep the said pair of gloves away from his girlfriend.

"It's so different, not to mention with the hand being gloveless I feel naked, can't you please give me that glove, please," she begged, with a pout.

"Cinder, I said 'No'. There's no way I'm going to let you wear that. Stars- and Iko wanted you to flaunt your leg!" he exclaimed, dragging his girlfriend out.

How could a person as bold and determined and beautiful as Cinder, ever feel insecure?

If you knew what you were to me You would never try to hide away

Cinder, through her own eyes, was an unworthy soul but if she only knew what she meant to Kai- more than just a lover. Within just a year, she was his everything. She was the one- being with her made him whole, made him feel blissful and lively, like all of sudden his life had found its meaning. She was like the water in a desert, the fire in the cold, the chill in the heat. He would convey the depth of his feelings someday- not today. This was a conversation for another day.

I guess some queens don't need a crown And I know why

She looked too good, even powerful without the Lunar crown and Kai finally understood the meaning of, 'Some Queens don't need crowns.'

Still somehow You're perfect now

He keeps the crown on her head making sure to not disturb her intricate yet beautiful braid.

"Now you, My Queen are perfectly ready!"

__

A/N: Hurt-Comfort Trope or was that too much insecurity!? This I think is the last of my 'insecure' fics.

It was written for 'Song Day AU' using the song 'Perfect Now' by Louis Tomlinson (If you have not listened it by now you better do it right away!)  Just Emperor Kai love in his girlfriend Queen Selene- not going to miss a chance to call her perfect now, is he?

I have short-listed too many songs for this prompt and I'm likely going to try to write for all of them.

Be sure to comment and vote.

I do take requests so if you want you can hit me up (I write for Kaider only.)

Taglist: @cinderswrench @gingerale2017 @linhcinder686 @shellyseashell @ladyvesuvia @shelbylmkaider @levanariddle @cindersassasin @kaider-is-my-otp (Tell me if you wanna be added/removed)

[shellyseashell]

WORTHY OF THE TITLE

Note: And here is my first fic for tlc ship weeks, @kaiderforever. Okay so I know it’s jacinter week, but I won’t be here for kaider week, so I’m posting the kaider stuff now. No offense to jacinter, but enjoy this crappy kaider one shot.

CHANNARY BLACKBURN HUMMED as she arranged her daughters hair. Today was an important day — today was the day Princess Selene and Prince Kai would be meeting since their marriage arrangement. Selene had talked to Kai plenty over comms, but it was different than meeting him in person. It was as terrifying as it was exciting.

“Are you excited to meet him?” Channary asked, her glee barely contained. Sometimes Selene wondered who was more excited to meet Kai — her, or her mother.

“He’s just a boy.”

“A boy that you’ve been staying up all night talking to,” said Cress Darnel, one of Selene’s friends, from across the room. Her and Winter Hayle were putting together Selene’s outfit. Usually, servants would have helped with this, but her friends had declared they would be the only ones helping her prepare, and no one had argued.

“Just making sure he’ll be a good ruler,” Selene said, hissing as her mother pulled on her hair.

“Sorry, dear, almost done,” her mother said.

“Is all this necessary?” Cress asked. “Can’t you just use your glamour?”

Cress was a Shell, so she didn’t have the gift, but she understood how important it could be.

“Glamours shouldn’t be used for everything,” said Winter.

Channary hummed in agreement. “And I want Prince Kai’s first impression of my Selene to be genuine.”

Selene sighed. The marriage alliance was important, but everyone was treating it like she was about to meet her soulmate. Sure, Kai was nice, and she liked him well enough, but she didn’t think they’d fall in love. Maybe in another life.

“And . . . your hair is done,” Channary said, releasing her hands.

Selene turned her hair, examining herself in the mirror. Half her hair was braided into an intricate crown, and the rest was flowing around her shoulders.

“Now it’s time for makeup,” her mother exclaimed.

Selene groaned, but twisted around in her seat anyway.

—

BY THE TIME her makeover was over, Selene looked like a princess worthy of the title. Her makeup was simple, mostly bringing out her eyes. The skirt of her silver gown fell around her in waves that seemed to ripple as she moved. The bodice hugged her body tightly, and the sleeves draped off her shoulders.

“Oh Selene, you look beautiful!” Cress squealed.

“Like a real princess!” Winter added.

“I am a real princess,” Selene reminded her friend.

“A more princess princess,” Winter corrected, earning a laugh.

“Well, it’s time to go greet Emperor Rikan and Prince Kai,” Channary said.

Selene nodded and steeled her nerves. She could do this.

—

THE EMPEROR AND Prince of the Eastern Commonwealth were waiting in a sitting room overlooking Artemisia Lake. The room had couches and chairs lining the walls, circling a large rug. The room was typically used for greeting guests, and these guests were no different.

Selene entered the room behind her mother. Cress and Winter, not being royalty, weren’t allowed in. The best they could do was wait outside the room with the guards.

Channary and Rikan went through their generic greetings that Selene didn’t pay attention to. Instead, her attention was drawn to Kai, who was standing behind his father. He was wearing a loose, long sleeved white shirt, black pants, and dress shoes. It was about as casual as fancy clothes got. Selene wondered if he had had to fight his father or stylist to let him wear that.

Kai caught her eye and grinned, and Selene immediately blushed. Damnit.

“Well, we’ll leave you alone and let you two get to know each other,” Rikan said, smiling at the two of them.

Selene watched in silence as her mother and the emperor left.

She turned back to Kai. “I feel like I overdressed.”

Kai laughed. “You look beautiful.”

“So do you,” Selene said. “I — I mean — you don’t look too bad yourself.”

“Hey, I don’t see why I can’t be beautiful either.” Kai laughed. “But really, I’m not wearing much. I didn’t get all dressed up like you.”

“Trust me, I didn’t want to. But my mother and friends practically kidnapped me and forced me to.”

Kai grinned. “Sounds like some nice friends.”

“The best, actually.”

Kai sighed, and sat on one of the couches. “I wish I had many friends. Most of the people I meet are nobles that are kind of annoying.”

Selene sat next to Kai. “Oh, I hate interacting with the aristocracy sometimes. Winter’s father is a royal guard, and her mother is a seamstress. Cress is a Shell, and her father is a doctor.”

“What about her mother?”

“Dunno. She never talks about her.”

“Huh,” was all Kai said. “You’re smart, making friends with people that aren’t too involved with politics.”

“So you think I’m smart, then?”

“The smartest.”

Selene laughed. Maybe this alliance wouldn’t be so bad.