#Bel's no good very bad day

[chysgoda]

Investigations

(A story of the Turali weird west)

Bel opened the shutters on the windows of the abandoned saloon. Bright daylight streamed in making the dust in the air sparkle like gold dust. She absently righted a chair as she walked past it. She didn’t bother with being quiet, if there were vampires hiding in the basement they would have smelled her long before they could have heard her. She made her way around the bar looking for an office. She opened windows as she passed them letting in more light. 

When she found it, the office was a mess. Loose paper, much of which was charred, was scattered everywhere. She found the accounting books the pages had been torn from and sighed. Finding all the pages and putting them in order was going to be a pain. Best to just gather what she could and work on deciphering it when she got back to the city. She filed the pages in the books and turned her attention to the desk. She checked the drawers for false bottoms and carefully ran her fingers over seams and along anywhere that might have enough volume to hide something. When her fingers caught on the faintest seam she smiled in satisfaction. 

It took the better part of twenty minutes but she eventually found her way in and to the pristine books hidden there. Quickly she slipped the books into her bag and closed the hidden compartment. It might not get her any information about Baelsar but it may open up paths for her investigation. She checked for anything else interesting but didn’t find anything worth further examination. 

A creak made her head snap towards the main room of the saloon. She shoved the half charred book into her bag and pulled her grimoire off her hip and felt the familiar tickle of the mage flames that sparked from the cover.  She took the wood turned channeling quill Grandpa Hesphestious had commissioned for her and with a few strokes and the opalized fossil tooth that rested against her breast bone warmed. From a single point of aether a feathered scale-kin spun into existence. The beast shook out its pearlescent feathers that shifted between whites, blues, pinks, and greens. Now accompanied with helpful talons and teeth Bel stepped out into the saloon. 

Through the broken door she could see someone in a bone white coat waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Her red chocobo was still on the boardwalk just outside the doors. She glanced at the windows trying to decide if she could jump out one and be off before the unknown visitor could do anything. 

“Mr. Baelsar would rather I bring you to his office uninjured, Miss Lahabrea,” a soprano voice with a grating arrogance called out.  There was a crackle and high pitched whining that started and raised the hair on the back of Bel’s neck. She dropped to the floor a half heartbeat before lightning ripped through the wood and into the abandoned bottles behind the bar. The explosion of super heated alcohol roared above her head. 

“Fuck,” Bel snarled to herself. So much for uninjured. She motioned her familiar to the door. “Little, forward!”

The opalescent scale kin jumped over her and rushed through the door to launch at the enforcer with talons as large as most spoken men’s hands. Bel scrambled across the floor and tried to ignore the way lightning that hit her familiar echoed dully across her own nerves. She levered herself up and over the window sill. From the corner of her eye she caught sight of red staining the sleeve of the white coat but didn’t stop to see more. There was fire on the back of her coat that filled her nose with the scent of burning skin. 

The chocobo shied away from her, but she made a grab at the reins and threw herself up into the saddle. She pointed the bird in the right direction and let it have its head so it could bolt. She heard the enforcer scream behind her and levin hit the back of her shoulder. She screamed but kept one arm wrapped around her grimoire and the bag with the accounting books. She felt her connection with Little stretch thin and then snap back to her as the familiar dissolved and all of the aether that made it slammed back into her soul. The hhetsarro woman gripped the bird with her and focused on the land the bird was eating up ahead of her. She had to get back to Stonewood. Get back to the deputy’s office and the safety of someone that wouldn’t sell her out to the wolf. 

Or her grandfather, the wolf’s lawyer. 

She glanced over her shoulder, did Baelsar’s people have those motorized bikes she’d seen? She couldn’t see through the dust her own bird kicked up. She looked forward again; that was the only direction that led out of this. She kept her eyes on the horizon and hoped her body wouldn’t remember how to feel pain between here and there.

(many thanks to @scrollsfromarebornrealm for creating the sandbox)

[widevibratobitch]

.

[twistedwonderlandimaginesblog]

Vil+Purple lilac? :))

Vil Schoenheit: 

Purple Lilac - love at first sight. 

This was what Vil would define as a poorly defined twist.

It simply didn’t fit his character. Overall, he was the person who people fell in love with at first sight, tripping over themselves at the beauty and power that radiated off of him in waves. He stood tall and proud, a flirtatious smile for the fans, a teasing remark for the questioning paparazzi, he knew how to play the game and play it well. It was hard, near impossible, to get one over on him and even his fans with all their knowledge of him, his life, and his interests, never managed to throw him off-balance, not even once.

“You looked super cool as that detective’s assistant!”

He had to wrack his brain to even remember the film you were mentioning, some passion project that he had joined because his father was good friends with the director and they needed someone to fill in a secondary role. Vil hadn’t minded because it meant he wasn’t being typecasted as some villain, hoping to show off his acting chops and prove his range. It was a simple role but he had been a showstopper, the reviews rolling in for months after speaking about how his scenes were the most heavily highlighted among articles and reviewers online. He hadn’t thought about it in a long time because in the end, it had been just another stepping stone; it didn’t do much for his reputation in the long run, showing his skill yet still not allowing him to branch out to other kinds of roles.

“Was it easy to steal attention away from the main detective? He really wasn’t bad but the way you look on screen, and the little subtleties you add to your characters… Like the way you’d mess with your bangs when you were uncomfortable, or the way your character would count off on his fingers every time he got upset—Did you come up with all that yourself?”

“I did.” Vil was proud, chin held up, even happier to know that the little things he had worked on had been noticed by you. His stunning looks and powerful presence were all the reviewers had mentioned, not the little nuances Vil had attempted to add into his character. He could probably listen to you talk all night if he had the chance to but— “What’s your name?”

“O-oh, me? Oh, uh…” You stuttered out your online name to him, the last thing you get to say before he’s ushered off with some fellow actors and models into the premiere of another film he had a role in.

He thinks about you the entire time.

The light in your eyes, the excited way you spoke, passion laced in every word, he could tell you genuinely liked the movie and that it wasn’t just to impress him. In a world of people constantly speaking on his sex appeal it was a relief that his acting and the plot was what you were concerned about, though he hadn’t missed the way you had described him.

Striking.

Just like you were.

He discreetly peaked at his phone, typing your name quickly into Magicam to see where your profile was; you were a film geek for sure, a variety of pictures and reviews revolving around media filling his vision as he scrolled through your account. He took the time to read a few during a slower part of the movie, noting that you were quite thoughtful with considering the human side of even the worst kinds of characters. Near the top is a post about him, not the detective movie but another one where he had essentially played ‘the other woman’, and you had written a very opinionated.

‘In the end, Vil Schoenheit is often forced into the same old roles with a slightly different font. It’s a waste of talent and I, for one, look forward to the day directors realize what a gem he truly is. I hope to see Vil in many different kinds of movies in the future, and I’ll try to be at the premiere of every one of them!’

Vil hit the follow button.

He’d never just followed a person like that, not unless they were someone in his circle or a brand who was looking to add him to their payroll. Even then, if they weren’t products he believed in, there wasn’t a chance he’d even look at them twice, so his follow list was a rather short one… But now you were there.

He hoped he could see you before his next premiere.

[ultraintrovertedgryffindor]

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐎𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 - Osferth (The Last Kingdom)

honestly, got this idea from that one episode of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that absolutely broke me and made me revisit my abandonment issues. so yeah, this is gonna be sad. i apologize in advance🤷🏻‍♀️(p.s. don't read this while listening to hurt by Christina Aguilera or because of you by Kelly Clarkson)

Warnings: spoilers for TLK (obvi, and for Death Of Kings), angst, hurt/comfort, daddy & abandonment issues (like same, i kin osferth honestly), Alfred was a great king but a shitty father (in the show at least), kinda bittersweet

word count | 2.3k🤙🏻

You all stood in king Aethelred’s throne room, watching King Alfred and your leader Uhtred discuss battle plans. It all sounded very important but all you could watch was how Osferth’s lips turned into a frown as his father embraced his daughter, Aethelflaed. He looked like a kicked puppy and all you could do was glare at the King with disdain.

You hadn’t been in this team of Lord Uhtred for very long, but long enough to know that you cared deeply for each one of your companions and would give your life for any one of them, but especially Osferth. You were there when he first introduced himself, so shy and soft spoken, wanting to be like his uncle. So to see him so sullen made you want to drive your blade into the King’s skull.

You never understood why being a bastard was bad, but everyone said it like it was one of the worst things you could be, especially if you were a bastard of a king. Osferth was always introduced as a bastard first, never as a warrior or one of Uhtred’s men, always just King Alfred’s bastard. It didn’t sit right with you, and it clearly made him uncomfortable. You tried to never think of him as Alfred’s bastard, just your friend. Osferth was the sweetest person in the world, so how on earth would anyone ever give him away? You saw how it affected him, even if he didn’t show it. You saw how he looked at Edward and Aethelflaed, that envy and longing. He just wanted to be loved and accepted, and Alfred took that from him. You had no respect for the king.

Osferth couldn’t even be in the presence of Edward, his half brother, having to quietly excuse himself. You couldn’t let him go on his own. Ever since you met the boy, you’ve had an overwhelming urge to keep him safe, always anxious whenever he was out of sight. You felt bad for still wanting to protect him, knowing he’s proven himself time and time again that he can defend himself. It was hard to not to think back to the time when he cried when he killed his first man. War makes you desensitized, whether that was a good thing or not.

“Are you okay?” You asked softly once you caught up with him.

“Mhm.” He hummed, his eyes not meeting yours.

You frowned. “You don’t have to lie to me, Osferth. I thought we were closer than that.”

“It’s not that.” He sighed, resting his hands inside his leather chest armor, a cute quirk he got into the habit of doing. “I just don't want to waste my breath on him…”

“It’s okay to have feelings about it, you know? You don’t have to keep it all bottled inside, not around me.”

Osferth did continue to keep his feelings bottled up since that day, and it made you upset that he was just suffering in silence. Your worrying became even worse after the battle where you all fought against Haesten’s army, your baby monk getting harmed in the process. Thankfully, the damage wasn’t too bad but he’d be out of fighting for a while so he could heal. You made no qualms when you were tasked with taking care of him at his half sister’s estate, you tried to do that all the time anyway. You still wanted him to open up to you, but you didn’t want to push him. You weren’t a bastard but you understood what it was like to not have a parent want you, you knew what complicated and conflicting feelings came along with it. He didn’t have to be alone in his struggle.

Osferth made no mention of the conversation you had with him that day, only thanking you and expressing apologies whenever you helped him around his injuries (although he made a habit of calling Finan a slave). You tried not to speak of it, not wanting to upset him, especially when he was healing from his physical wounds. You could see how exhausted he was, how his once bright blue eyes dimmed with pain. He was more irritable, uncharacteristically so, to the point even Finan was tired of taking care of him. You could see he was hurting, but you didn’t know how or when to bring it up.

It seemed all those suppressed emotions came to a head one day, a loud crash being heard throughout the building, coming from Osferth’s room. You took off in that direction, seeing a disheveled Finan right outside the boy’s door. “What the hell is going on?” You asked.

“I made a joke, just teasing, then the lad went off like an absolute nutter.” Finan huffed, “I was trying to give him some water but he threw it back at me and it broke.” You made a move to walk into the room, but he put his arm out to stop you. “I wouldn’t. I’d just let him be for now, until he calms down at least.”

“Come on, it’s not like he’s going to hurt me, Finan.” You pushed his arm out of the way and promptly entered the bedroom.

You almost expected the room to be in ruins, but all that looked out of place was the shattered pottery that once held water scattered on the floor. And Osferth, sitting with his back turned to the door on his bed, his head hanging low. “Sorry Finan, I didn’t mean to get so upset…” Osferth whispered softly, turning his head to only see you and not the Irishman. “Oh, uh, didn’t know it was you.”

You smiled weakly, coming to sit next to him. “It’s okay, but are you?”

Osferth shrugged, a slight blush coming to his face at your close proximity. “He just made a joke about me being…ya know. He does it all the time so I don’t know why I got so mad. He’s not angry with me, is he?”

You shook your head. “No. He seemed like he kind of felt bad, this time, at least…Ever since that day at Aethelred’s estate, you’ve not been yourself. I know you haven’t been showing it, but I can feel that you’re upset. I think talking to someone might help, it doesn’t have to be me obviously, but someone. Maybe Sihtric? Since he’s-” You were interrupted by the sounds of soft sniffles and whimpers, your brows immediately furrowing in concern as soon as you saw Osferth’s pained expression. “Osferth?” You whispered softly, cautiously reaching out to hold his hand, afraid to scare him away.

“I hate feeling this way.” He sniffled, using his other hand to angrily wipe away a couple fallen tears. “Alfred never even tried to talk to me, never. As soon as I was born, he forced me into the monastery. I’ve never known anything else, so why do I feel this way? How can I miss something I’ve never had? Even now, I’m nothing to him. I’ve never been anything but a burden to him…”

“You are anything but a burden, Osferth.” You spoke sternly, anger welling up inside you at Alfred for making your best friend feel that way.

“But I am! I’m an embarrassment. That’s the only reason Lord Uhtred even let me join him in the first place. All to embarrass the…king.” He spat.

“Osferth…”

“Why doesn’t he want me?” Osferth cried, his tears falling off his cheeks onto your hands that held his on his lap. The pain in his voice even made you tear up, and all you wanted to do was wrap him up in your arms and never let him go. I want you, I want you more than anything in the world, you wanted to say. But all you did was squeeze his hand tighter and pulled him onto your chest, holding the back of his head and running your fingers through his hair soothingly.

“You are not a burden.” You whispered into his hair, pulling him to you as close as humanly possible. “Not to me, not to Uhtred, not to anyone. Anyone who even thinks that will meet the end of my blade. Alfred is a fool to not see your worth and if I could, I’d cut off his head without remorse.”

Osferth quickly shushed you, bringing his hand up to cup your jaw hesitantly. “Such talk is treason.”

“You’re worth it, Osferth.” You spoke with such sincerity it made the pale boy blush, his tears cascading down over his pink cheeks made such a beautifully sad portrait, his eyes a stark blue from crying. You couldn’t help but lean forward and gently kiss the wrinkle in between his eyebrows. “You’ll always be worth it to me.” You took a deep breath, your heart hammering inside your ribcage. “Unlike Alfred…I’ll never abandon you, baby monk. Even in death, you wouldn’t be rid of me.”

Osferth chuckled tearfully, looking up at you in awe. “You’re an angel, you know that?”

Now it was your turn to blush, but you gently shook your head. “I do not.”

“You are. It’s because of you I know God exists. How could He not when such a woman as you is sitting before me?” Your breath catches, a fluttering feeling rattling around in your stomach as you and Osferth look into each other’s eyes. “Can I…can I kiss you, my lady?” He stuttered, a hopeful expression on his face.

“Please…” You whispered in reply, both of you leaning forward and capturing his lips with yours.

And you decided to stay with him that night, refusing to leave his side even when he said he was feeling better. You held him in your arms, allowing his head to rest against your chest, the sound of your soothing heartbeat lulling him to sleep.

Eventually when the death of King Alfred was announced, it didn’t shock anyone; he was frail and sickly and should have died a long time ago, but that didn’t make it hurt any less for anyone. He was called great for a reason, he was loved and respected by many, even his enemies. His family were devastated, his friends, his allies, even those like Uhtred who were reluctant in following him at first. Except you, you had difficulty finding any sympathy in your heart for really one reason only: Osferth.

You had no respect or shroud of kindness for the king in life, so why would you in death? All you cared about was Osferth and how he felt.

You thought back to all the times you’d walk in on Osferth crying, always quick to wipe away his tears like he never was crying in the first place. He was so quick in concealing his emotions that anyone else never would’ve noticed, but you always did. After being with Alfred in the throne room, when he looked so relieved that his daughter was safe, Osferth would excuse himself. Whenever Uhtred had discussions with Edward or Aethelflaed, he would do the exact same thing. You knew he had to be feeling something towards his father’s death, whether he would admit it or not. You just wanted to be there for him if he needed you.

Like any king’s death, the aftermath was chaos. You all had to worry for Uhtred for a while there, but everything turned out alright in the end. People were celebrating the new King Edward’s coronation, drinking and humping the night away, but Osferth was nowhere to be found. You had asked your boys if they had seen him anywhere, but no one knew and all Finan did was joke that he might be finally losing his virginity. Not that helpful.

You finally found him sitting against one of the walls of the town, drinking a pint of ale. His lips instinctively upturned in a brief smile when he saw you walking his way, though his eyes looked weary. “What are you doing all the way out here, huh?” You asked softly, crouching down to sit next to him, causally taking a sip from his mug.

Osferth shrugged. “Just thinking.”

“Oh, yeah? About what?” You reached over and interlaced your fingers with his, smiling when he brought your hand up to kiss your knuckles.

“Before Alfred died…I visited him.” He exhaled shakily, and you couldn’t help but gasp.

“What did he say?” You asked curiously, but also dreading the answer just in case.

Osferth smiled sadly, tears already welling up in his eyes. “He apologized to me, that it was his fault for me being the way that I am…said he’d put in a good word for me when he got to heaven.” He chuckled weakly, wiping away some of his fallen tears. “He said I was a good man…that he was proud of me, called me his son.”

You teared up at his confession, squeezing his hand tighter. “And…did that make you feel better? Was it closure?”

Osferth’s bottom lip trembled, nodding his head, turning to look at you with a tearful crooked smile. “It was…but I didn’t need to hear it from him to know I’m a good man. I am. You showed me that better than he ever could.”

You smiled bashfully. “Oh, Osferth, you flatter me. But I am glad you made your peace with him, even if it came late.” You kissed his hand as well, moving closer so you could lean your shoulder against his. “Really, my love, are you okay?” You asked seriously, only to receive a sweet kiss on your cheek, causing heat to bloom in your chest in contrast to the cold temperature.

“I am sad, but I’ve lived without my father my entire life. I’ll be okay, especially when you’re right here with me. It’s only you who I need by my side. It’s you I wouldn’t be able to live without.”

“Good, because I don’t plan on leaving you any time soon, my baby monk."

literally wish he and alfred had more screen time TOGETHER, and curse the writers for not including their talk before alfred died. seriously.

[11queensupreme11]

Me, the beginning of the chapter: OMG! Bel and Percy dancing! So sweet, now everyone has to know they are great together 🥺❤️

Me, end of the chapter: my girl has 0 rest and the fates are the worst sharing news, 0 stars to their service, please stoooop

(also, very curious about all of Bel's situation, Percy is strong but not so strong... Yet)

Of course, I know they're going to end together and just want to push her to make that decision but she's loyal (fatally loyal)

She needs something that makes her stay, forcing her to decide them. We know the yanderes are more than happy to do it but also something like saving the world/humans can make her stay

Sincerely, waiting for how you're going to do this queen, both ways look good but wouldn't be the first time you surprise me so I'm letting this on your hands

(no pressure tho, write whatever you want whenever you want. First are you then the rest ❤️)

Hera, the other way...

For one second, just a minute where I was truly sad for here, a gigantic work for a solitary woman

Then she made me remember the reason why she's alone and I was over it lol

Good luck traveling, when you find her she's going to have a lot of packages that are going to kill her for that.

You are scared of Gea? They're going to be nothing compared to them, fully massacred and your territory colonized or erased no other options for the sin of stealing Percy

My girl is too loyal, she'd keep trying to go back home but now she has 5 gods ready to make her. She can hate them for a few centuries, one day she'd get over it and they'd be ready to love her.

Is one of the things I love about your fic, you really make them so good that we let our guard down just to attack us (and Percy) with the facts they're gods and gods aren moral or anti moral, they just don't have a moral like the human and you can force them to have it (if a animal eats their babies because of instinct it means they're bad? Or is their world different from ours?)

Percy has seen it, with Hades/Persephone and with Poseidon and his behavior. But I don't feel like she has fully understood what it means.

All of them are ready to ignore her and her decision because they CAN'T lose her. Loki would kill her only if she could come back. Beelzebub probably would lie to her about bifrost if that means she stays by his side. I don't have to say anything about Poseidon, Hades and Apollo, they're greeks, house of tragedies.

She's suicidal? Beelzebub too bestie, you both can go together to therapy.

No saying they (Beelzebub and maybe Like) aren't going to try to help her but like. One sign of her soul being hurt? No looking back we're going to see what we do about consequences later

(Loki LIKES when she's upset and his actions are chaotic enough to just make her divine and fight her for centuries)

How can Percy keep so firm against them? I'd be weak cause they are so good with her (incest no mention) and they appreciate her how they original universe never did. There she's safe, loved and cared for, where in PJO she's the one doing the hard work and fighting for gods that would kill her having the chance and just use her while they can.

Of course, she has Sally and her friends but... Wouldn't they want that she be happy and safe? We know Sally was prepared to lose everything to secure that, so I think she'd like her to live in a world where she doesn't worry about monsters or money.

Her friends also weren't in active danger, of course there is the prophecy but that doesn't mean they're the ones dealing with it

She deserves to be happy and living without worries.

But I'm a lot more egoist than her so who knows?

The only thing sure is Mnemosyne is in danger for that book and Antonius is dead, no opportunity for him even if Percy asks cause when she turns her head puff, he's gone

(little remember that Nico is amazing and also very good to traumatize :D and that fact is canon! :D so if you put in ROR he's going to fit just fine as Percy! And imagine just how cute he'd look at the side of Thor 🥺)

(Really, maybe it is the lack of sleep but they look cute in my mind now)

i just love writing about percy's dilemma of "should i stay or should i go?" cuz the best answer is honestly to go back BUT her desire for her father's love and a life where she doesn't have to fight constantly is what makes her hesitate

on one hand, in the ror verse:

there are no wars for her to fight, and if there was one, she'd be ordered to stay back because the gods here are actually ALLOWED to directly fight

her godly family can spend time with her because zeus isn't a tyrant that makes interaction illegal

she has friends and family here that she cares about too

they don't want to fucking kill her 💀

etc

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND IN THE PJO VERSE

everyone she loves is there, her friends, her family, and ofc pjo!poseidon

no yanderes

she's not being sexually abused and raped 💀

she can still have a normal life and future aside from the demigod stuff

she's not stuck living in a misogynistic society where she's her father's property nor will she become her husband's property should she ever marry

etc

i cannot wait to stress her out even more hehehe >:3

[dearabby1990]

Chapter 35: Best friends day out

You’re finally done drying your hair & add a little makeup just to brighten up your face a bit & spray some of your favorite perfume. Heading downstairs towards the living room you noticed how oddly quiet it is for a house full of guys only to be met with gareth relaxing on the sofa watching Miami vice he notices you & sits up “hey goober the others went out shopping for god knows what you know how Eddie gets when he wants something so I figured I’d stay behind maybe we could have a best buds day beings it’s been awhile since we hung out just us two figured we could grab a bite & hit the record store or something” you smile and plop on the sofa next to him “sounds good fluff & stuff” you giggle & toss him your car keys & you barely let anyone drive your baby it’s a 1961 Chevy bel air not as spiffy as the one you all had for prom but still you cherish it beings it was your moms car putting lots of love & care into it replacing parts with Eddie’s help & she just got a new paint job as a gift from your love he knows how much you love light purple so he went ahead & had jimmy paint it all for you. “Really?! I can drive Paula?! Sweet!!” You laugh and you both take off to the car “man this is so fuckin cool jame!” He starts up the engine & the radio pops on you dig through your cassettes & pull out Billy Squire & show it to him “oh fuck yeah pop it in!” “Alright this is gonna be the best day ever!” My kinda lover comes on & you & gareth are singing & using your bottle of cola as a microphone laughing having a ball “oh I have an idea gare bear watch this” you flip the switch to drop the top and his eyes bulge from his head “no fuckin way this is so bad ass!” You both have the wind in your hair & not a care in the world your glad you got to spend time with gareth you both haven’t had fun like this since middle school. He pulls into the parking lot & you notice he took you to your old fave spot his parents would take you guys here before the end of the camping trips before your parents would pick you up. An old 50’s style malt shop with the best milkshakes & burgers Indiana had to offer waitresses on roller skates 🛼 glide up to your car with a note pad & pen “welcome to Marybeth’s malt shop my name is Dolores I’ll be your server what can I get for y’all this fine afternoon?” She says with a megawatt smile teal dress white apron pink skates blonde hair in a high ponytail chewing gum gareth knows me well enough to where he knows what I always get so he orders for us both “yes can we get 2 bacon cheeseburgers an order of cheese fries & 2 black cows” (old school drink gross but very popular it’s cola & ice cream like a root beer float) “sure hun anything else for you & your lovely lady?” “Oh we’re just best friends but that’s all thanks” she winks at gareth “I’ll be right out with your drinks” she skates off. You start laughing hysterically “WHAT?!” He’s confused as to why you think something is so funny “she was totally checking you out man as soon as you said we’re friends her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree” you start laughing again “bullshit she’s just being nice it’s her job!” You try to calm you laughing for a minute “okay we’ll see about that” he turns to you “what does that mean?” “Ohh you’ll see” she comes skating back with your drinks “here you both go here’s some straws is there anything else I can get you both?” You look at gareth and smirk “actually Dolores my friend here has an extra ticket to guns & roses & needs a date & you’re so beautiful maybe you two can go together hed need your number though” his face is red he looks like he wants to kill you “really?! Yes I’d love that!” She scribbles down her number and hands it to gareth and skates back off into the restaurant “how the fuck & I don’t have an extra ticket to shit Jamie what the hell?!” You pull out an envelope & pass it to him “this was supposed to be a part of your graduation gift but I can see you need it now more then later” he rips it open to pull out two front row center seats to guns & roses & flies across the gears to engulf you into a hug.

You both eat your lunch talking of ideas of what to look for in the record store. “I still can’t believe this shit what a day & it’s only the damn afternoon not only did I get a date but I have tickets to the hottest concert in Hawkins this month thanks to you jame thanks for hanging with me today” he nudges into your shoulder you chuckle “no problem fluff & stuff but let’s hurry I have to get something for Eddie at the record store as part of his graduation gift OH! Before I forget I wanna throw a graduation party for Eddie & hellfire but I want to surprise him you think you guys could help me out?” “You don’t have to tell me twice I’m here for whatever ya need”. Pulling into a parking spot you both bolt into the record store grabbing the new Iron Maiden album for Eddie knowing he’s been wanting it for quite some time. Gareth finding all he was looking for “so what else did you get him for graduation?” You smirk at him “well… I was gonna keep this a complete secret but since I know you’re good at not spilling the beans I’ll tell you since it involves us all.. so I have an account from when mom passed I haven’t touched a red cent at all I have it for future decisions but I wanted to splurge a little so I went ahead & got us all tickets to fly out to Detroit for a few days not only to go on a trip but two concerts I got us all tickets to see Kiss & 6 days after that we go see… METALLICA!!” His eyes bug out of his head “I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU!!” He’s swinging you around the store almost taking out a whole display you’re cracking up. “I love ya too gare bear but remember secret!” He nods like a mad man “my lips are sealed promise.. oh man this is gonna be so fucking cool!!” You both head to check out it’s almost dinner time you’ll have to head back to start cooking sundown isn’t too far away. Hopping in the car you & gareth had a ball & have to try and make time for all your friends from now on.

[horce-divorce]

haha ughghh you know its a bad pain day when im like "UGH i have already done like 4 dabs and smoked 2 bowls what gives. why am i still fucked." and then i realize that was like 3-4 hours ago which means I need to smoke an additional 4 dabs and 2 bowls to get me thru to to dinnertime, when I will- once again- you guessed it- need yet another several dabs and bowls to survive the pain of eating anything (and then probably once more before bed, in addition to the meds I take for sleep). insane shit. thank you weed for my life but oh my god.

bel and i both smoke this much btw and we both very consistently smoke a little under an oz per month, usually. that's a maintenance amount. during a bad flare its much more. i know ppl who dont even have chronic pain who smoke an oz a week so inb4 dont want to hear any shit about my usage. it is extremely reasonable and in fact kinda on the light side considering just how much pain we are both in. we SHOULD have access to pain blockers and opiates but weed is what we have. and not even like top shelf GOOD weed, or concentrates or tinctures or anything. we shop bulk + bargain bin. we could use even less if we could afford better stuff. vimes boot theory applies to medications. isnt that fucked

[aletterinthenameofsanity]

i am here to ask dw questions! favorite and least favorite series? and which is your favorite and least favorite of the male companions? :)

-ninthdoctorr (sideblog)

Alright, I am so down to answer this!

Favorite series is a tie between 3 and 1. I cannot decide. You cannot make me decide. They are both absolutely brilliant in terms of season arc, character development, and the fascinating companion/doctor relationship. (Plus Jack swings in to contribute to what are far and above my two favorite season finales in the show.) Nine/Rose and Martha/Ten are my two favorite doctor & companion pairings in the show because of the way that they affect each other and push each other's characters forward (both for the good in both cases and the bad in Ten/Martha's case). Nine is my favorite Doctor but Martha is my favorite companion and so it's so hard to choose. So I won't :)

As for least favorite season of the show, well, it would either be Season 7 or 13. Though both have redeeming value (I love the new characters in both seasons- Karvanista, Bel, Vinder, and Clara all have their merit), they're dragged down in different ways. Season 7 has some absolute STINKERS of episodes dragged down by Moffatisms or sexism whether overt or not (asylum, dinosaurs on a spaceship, angels take manhattan, time of the doctor, name of the doctor, day of the doctor) and even though there are some good episodes (A Town Called Mercy, Hide, Cold War, Journey to the Center of the TARDIS), they can't make up for the bad beginning and ending to the season. Then 13 is just...I'm sorry, it's not for me. Jodie is acting her ass off, but there's so many exposition dumps and the villain is threatening but not emotionally tied to the main character (yes, they took her memories, but I always struggle with amnesia plots when they're retroactively fitted in to a character's backstory rather than part of character development going forward, if that makes sense). Plus, the shortness of the season really hurts it, just as it does the 60th anniversary specials (which are a conversation of their own).

As for favorite/least favorite male companions...that's a complicated question. If you take Adam out of the running for least favorite, then I think it might be Dan. Sorry, the actor is very good, and he's funny, but he's got so very little character development going on other than his brief moment realizing his worth/leaving in the finale. He's fun but he's not interesting, if that makes sense?

And as for favorite...god, I love each of the male companions for different reasons. Mickey has the best character development. Ryan & Graham are a fantastic duo and their relationship development might be the best thing from Thirteen's era. Rory is a caretaker, possibly the most loyal character in all of the show, and is the voice of reason/kindness in a lot of his episodes which normally male companions don't get to be. Jack's vibes with Nine/Rose and Ten/Martha are unhinged and really need to be studied under a microscope but his tragedy is unparalleled in the entirety of Doctor Who (fight me on that, I dare you). Danny DESERVED to be an official companion because he was the best thing about Season 8 and had a lot of that same kindness/voice of reason as Rory did.

...where was I going with this? Right, I think I'd actually weirdly enough have to go with Mickey on this one? It would have been Rory if it weren't for some of the Moffatisms that kind of bring him down for me (making the Doctor ask permission to hug Amy twice, the lack of agency in his leaving, the sort of...puttering out of his arc in 7a) and just the fact that Mickey's character arc through season 1 and 2 gets better and better every time I rewatch it. The way that he interacts/grows to trust Nine fascinates me, from World War Three to Boom Town to Parting of the Ways. The fact that you can see the tension in him with his love for Rose/the fact that both are nineteen and making mistakes and figuring shit out/and his understanding that she found someone and something better. The fact that he jumps to help her and the Doctor in Boom Town/Parting of the Ways. The way that he finds his confidence and more importantly his purpose in Season 2 and is one of the only people that ever stepped away from the Doctor on his own terms. (Martha and Mickey make so much more sense when you look at them as the only two characters to find their own purpose on their own terms outside of the Doctor...I've written about it in fics because that one detail makes them work so much more for me). I love his dynamic with Jackie and the way they start off at odds but get so much closer to the point that his final goodbye in Journey's End is with her and not Rose. I like his dynamic with Jack. I think Mickey's seriously underrated as a companion.

...sorry for the rambling. You give me an opportunity to infodump about my current hyperfixation and I definitely will! Please feel free to ask more questions- I'd love to answer!

[cherry1sblog]

My collage roommate

YJW!!

Summary:u entered collage everything was going amazing u had your bsf with u but there was one problem ur collage roommate… (also there is a plot twist about heeseung and jungwon there not as close as u think)

Warnings:cursing kissing (WILL EVENTUALLY BE A SMUT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER JUST GIVE ME SOME TIME -also tell me if I missed any this

It was your first day at dark blood university and it was going pretty well even if u weren’t going to share a dorm with your bff it just gave you another opportunity to make a new friend…or so u thought

\\TIME SKIP//

Your in-front of your new dorm from the lay out u were sent it didn’t seem small so u were happy there was a lot of space as you take your keys and jiggle it in the nob the door opens and it a guy he’s tall handsome and has broad shoulders “oh hey i think u have the wrong dorm “ u look at him confused “what do u mean this is dorm 38 right “he looks at u also confused “well yeah but your a girl and girls and guys don’t share dorms so maybe your mistaken”ur really confused now u thought that your roommate was a girl so u call the front desk

A little later

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS IS MY DORM”

“Yes miss u are supposed to be in that dorm there’s none left so he will be your knee dorm mate “

“WA-“

Line disconnects

“STUPID BITCH UGH”

……

The boy has wide eyes and is still in the same position “Welp i Gusse were roomies I’m jang y/n “u put your hand out he looks at it and u look at him confused until he also grabs his hand out “Yang jungwon”

Now u were eating for him to move but he’s just staring

“Hey uh can u move ur in the way” “oh shit my bad do u uh want help ”

“Sure…

\\LATER THAT NIGHT//

You finally finished unpacking and jungwon seemed to have left awhile ago witch left u some time to explore the dorm

**RING RING**

“Hello” “Y/N” “oh soyeon u will not bel-*

“YOUR ROOMMATES WITH YANG JUNGWON “

Confused u just say yeah

“OMFG ITS ALL OVER SCHOOL ALREADY PEOPLE ARE EVEN TALKING ABOUT HOW HIS ROOMMATE IS A GIRK PEOPLE THINK U PAYED YOUR WAY TO SHARE A DORM WITH HIM “

“WHAT TF SRE U TALKING ABOUT IDEK HIM”

Silence on the other end confused u turn up your volume maybe something happened and but oh how u wish u would have not turned it up

“YOUR TELL ME YOU DONT KNOW WHO TF YANG JUNGWON IS GURL YOU ARE LITERALLY THE DUMBEST GURL EVER “

“How am I going to know him WHEN U JUST KEEP FUCKING YELLING ABT HIM “

Your very confused on why this is such a big deal and why people would even be talking about this you had no idea who jungwon even was and confused as to why your friend even cares so much

“Ohhh rightt haha “

“Girl bye “

You hung up annoyed with your friend u we’re getting hungry so u decided to go out to get something from the convince store your putting on your shoes and just then jungwon comes through the door u look at him and he was covered in rain u didn’t know it was raining

“Oh jungwon your wet “

He just looks down at u and walks past u bumping your shoulder leaving u confused as to why he was being mean now well he wasn’t exactly nice either in the beginning

\\FIRST DAY//

you were walking to your first class already not believing your in college now your morning started good jungwon wasn’t there so u didn’t have to worry about being to loud but u haven’t seen soyeon so u walked alone all the way to your first class and just sat in a random spot until a boy who was super tall and was wearing glasses although they didn’t have a lens

“Excuse me “

“Yes?”

“Your in my spot “

U look around and u didn’t know that there was assigned seats everyone seemed to pick there own

“OMG”

“IM SO SORRY I RRALLY DIDNT KNOW”

“It’s m-“

He starts laughing and his glasses start to fall so he takes them off u were confused why he was laughing

“I’m just kidding u looked new so i just thought messing with u would be fun”

“Oh”

U didn’t know if u were mad or not I mean it was just a joke and it’s your first day but then he says something

“Oh also this is a class for people in there 2nd and 3rd year ?”

“Oh I passed all my classes about this even the first one in high school so I get to take the 2nd one instead of the first one “

He looks at u and shock u giggle a little

“Well I’m heeseung Lee heeseung “

“Y/n jang y/n” u shook his hand and u guys sat down as the lesson began

\\AFTER CLASS//

“So y/n what are u gonna do now”

“Mmm I wanted to go get food hbu”

“Same I’ll show u the way”

U followed him

U got into the cafeteria and heeseung went to go sit at a table with 6 other boys u didn’t know what to do so u just stood

“Y/n don’t be scared they won’t bite “

U kinda giggle and sat down until u looked up and saw jungwon

“Wait your names y/n”

A boy who seemed to have an accent asked u

“Oh yeah why?”

“So your the girl who jungwon is stuck with”

Another boy said he was very handsome I mean they all were

U look up to see jungwon glaring at the boy

“YAH”

“Okay calm down let’s not get into a fight okay”

Heeseung said

“I’ll introduce u to them “

“The one with the accent is Jake he’s super smart in physics witch he’s way to upsesed with “

U snort

“Hey physics is a great subject “

Jake seemed sassy and super defensive about physics witch u found funny

“Then the one with the silver hair is sunghoon he has a lot of fan girls but is super awkward “

“Your just mad y don’t get bitches like I do “

“Dw SUNGHOON I get my fair share”

U analyze sunghoon longer noticing the beautiful moles on his face the way his hair was nicely styled he seemed very put together

“Anyway then there’s the giant baby Niki he’s really umm how should I put it-

“I’m obviously so amazing kind handsome beauti-

“Anyway then there’s sunoo and jay if u need any advice I would suggest sunoo and if u wanna rip your ears out from dad jokes I’d ask jay”

“Hey my dad jokes are funny”

“No there not not at all so just shhh “

The red haired boy sunoo said he seemed very bubbly and kind it made u want to smile all the time he was like a big ray of sunshine and u loved it

“And obviously you know jungwon “

Jungwon didn’t even bother to look at u not even for a second and just as u we’re about to ask jungwon soemthing he got up from his chair leaving u in dismay

“Do u and jungwon have an issue or something “

Jake has asked u u looked at him confused

“No why do u ask”

He looked over at the boys making u confused

“Well uh it’s nothing really I mean he just left the table and he’s been talking about being annoyed with having to share a dorm with you”

U felt a little hurt even tho u didn’t know the boy he already had so much hatred for u when it was something u couldn’t even control

“Y/N!!!”

U heard a familiar voice so u turned around it was soyeon you ran up to her and gave her a hug

“How’s your first day of collage so far”

“Uh it’s good this is my new friend heeseung and his freinds “

She smile and then pulls u aside

“Y/n u do realize that people have been looking at u and your hanging out with the 6 most popular boys “

“Huh wha-“

“Wait these are just six WHERES jungwon “

“Idk he left like 5 min ago “

She looked at you weird but I guys just went to sit down and had the rest of your lunches and went to your other periods during the time u sat with them u figured out u shared 3 periods with jungwon witch made u want to kys but that was okay cause heeseung was in all your periods and some of the other boys

//TIME SKIP TO THE DORM\\

U finished lots of chores in the dorm doing u and Jungwons laundry mostly his cleans the kitchen so u went to go shower and when you had just gotten out of the shower u had just some shorts and an over sized t-shirt u went to the living room to go watch on the tv and while u were sitting there jungwon came out

“Hi jungwon”

U said he looked at u but didn’t say anything feeling embarrassed u got up and wanted to leave to your room

“Wait-“

U turned around

“I’m uh gonna order pizza do u want some”

Even tho he’s been an ass this was free food and EVERYONE LOVES FREE FOOD so u agreed

//time skip to lovely free food\\

The pizza got there jungwon had also bought some sodas to witch u were greatful for not sure wether to speak or not but just as u we’re about to he spoke

“Hey thanks for doing my laundry u didn’t have to”

“Don’t sweat it we’re roomies we should make the most of it right”

“Yeah ig “

He smiled a little u haven’t seen him smile once scince you’ve been his dorm mate but u still wanted to ask him a question

“Hey jungwon “

“Yeah”

“Did I um do something wrong “

“No why “

“Then why do you seem to hate me “

“Who Said I hated u “

“No one it’s just your so cold to me all the time do idk I was just wondering “

He looked down at his hands and then he looked at u

“I don’t hate u I’m just not good with conversations sometimes and I mean I was pissed that I had a girl as a roommate but u don’t seem to bad now “

U smiled at him and punched his arm playfull and he hissed

“Yah why’d you do that”

“Well u were being kinda a jerk so I think u deserve it kinda “

“Fair”

//skip to afternoon\\

U went out by yourself to go shopping and to go see this cafe you’ve been wanting to go to near campus it’s a really cute place you could take pictures at so u went u were ordering your drink and as u went to sit down u saw someone familiar out side threw the glass it was jungwon and a girl they both seemed mad but jungwon seemed more angry he was about to say something but then he looked threw the coffee shop and saw u u quickly go up to go see if your order was done u didn’t go sit back I. The same area u moved obviously but just then u heard someone come in thrue the door it was jungwon won you quickly put your head down but u heard footsteps come near u

A knock on the table made u look up you saw jungwon infront of u and u giggled nervously

“So u saw what happened “

“Whattt I didn’t see anything matter afact I actually don’t even have on my glasses so I ca-

“Don’t be dumb I know u did “

U put your head down worried u would be yelled at

“I’m sorry I wasn’t sure what was going on I couldn’t help but look”

“It’s fine”

“Do u mind if I ask who she was”

He looked away and his jaw was flexed u thought it was a bad idea to ask so u felt bad for asking

“Uh she was my ex “

“Oh”

He just nodded

U felt bad that he was arguing with his ex but if they were exes u were wondering why they were even talking and met up

“Hey jungwon “

He just bumped his head up

“I know we’re not freinds but if u are exes why’d u meet up”

“Wow we’re not freinds”

U started at him in confusion at the same time as being flustered

“I-I don’t know I just assumed yk”

“Assumed what “

“That we weren’t entirely freinds yet “

He just sucked his lip and nodded u felt bad that u made him probly feel bad

“If u want I can buy u something after this I was gonna start getting ready to go to a party idk he u know who’s throwing it “

“Yeah sure but the guy who’s throwing it is my freind u do know that “

“Oh really ur freinds with sunoo!”

“Mhm me jake Sunghoon sunoo jay heeseung and Niki have been freinds scince middle school “

“Ah I didn’t know that but your all diffrent ages “

“Yes but not by a lot”

“Also do u mid if I ask u somthing y/n”

“Sure what is it”

“U and heeseung are u guys like a thing”

U laughed at his question and he just looks confused and concerdthat u were laughing at that u stoped laughing cause u noticed him not talking

“No why would be were just freinds but he’s super nice why do u ask”

“Oh nothing just cause heeseung dosent Like to talk to many girls “

U were a bit taken back by the comment cause if heeseung didn’t talk to many girl than why would he be talking to u…

//SKIP TO PARTY\\

U and jungwon went separate u went with soyeon and he left a little more early to help sunoo set up cause just from knowing him for 3 days he’s the most extra person so u just know his party was gonna be amazing and u weren’t wrong as soon as u were outside there sorority house there was loud music party streamers outside and walking threw the door was another thing but everything In there was absolutely amazing

“YAH JANG y/n “

“Soyeon the next time U FUCKING YELL AT ME IM GOING TO SEW YOUR MOUTH SHUT TALK LIKE A NORMAL FUCKING PERSON “

“Sorry it’s just jungwon hasn’t stoped looking at u scince u got here “

U look where she’s looking but as soon as u do jungwon is Look somewhere eles

“Choi soyeon the next time u say something dumb like that I’ll kill u now lemme go find the drinks and u go dance”

U wanderd a little bit admiring the decorations sunoo and everyone eles had put up you accidentally bumped into someone’s chest

“Oh sorry”

It was heeseung

“No need to be sorry sunoos decos are killer huh “

“Yeah there superrrr amazing”

“Anyway what are u doing”

“I’m trying to look for the drinks do u know where they are “

“Oh yeah follow me “

U follow heeseung into the kitchen where jake is and a couple of other people who are grabbing drinks and then leaving to go do something eles

“Ayooo y/n your here”

“Hey Jake what do u have to drink “

“Well I could go into detail about everything or I can just give u a beer “

“I’ll just take a beer “

“Perfect “

\\1HOUR LATER\\

U definitely had one to many drinks but we’re still okay heeseung was right by you but u went outside on the balcony for some fresh air heeseung followed to make sure u were okay being very aware at the fact your drunk u walked upstairs to the balcony and we’re just admiring the view until u noticed heeseung looking at you

“Hey y/n”

“Yeah”

“Can I kiss you”

“What”

U were very much confused as to why he would want to kiss u u scant lie tho heeseung is really handsome and all those drinks making him look even more desirable u kiss him and that tunes into a make out sesh until

“What the fuck “

U see Seoyeon and jungwon standing there but jungwon just grabs your wrist and takes u out side

“Ow jungwon”

He dosent Listen and your half way to his car

“Jungwon it hurts let go jungwon plea-

Someone grabs your other hand and u Gusse sit it was heeseung jungwon turns around looking mad

“Yo whyd u pull her Away “

“Cause didn’t I tell u to fucking stay away from her she’s not one of your toys “

“I Never Said she was now let’s just go back to the party “

They had both your wrist and it was hurting

“No we’re going home “

“ I think y/n can speak for herself “

Jungwon just glared at him

“Can u guys let go your hurting me”

They both let go and jungwon says something

“Yes she can speak for herself but not in this situation and when I told u all to stay away from her I fucking mean it especially u “

“And what if I don’t won mh what are you gonna do your still fucked up from yuji so how can u do anything with her”

“U ass u know maybe this is why people say your a jerk u can be nice but fucking stupid no wonder why all those girls you fucked never are around cause u push them away now stay the fuck away from y/n and we won’t have problems”

“We were just having fun anyway it wasn’t serious “

“Yeah it never is with u “

“You know what jungwon don’t be a pussy and just fuck her cause that’s what u want so bad right “

U didn’t know what to say everything about there conversation was confusing normally I knew what to come up with but here I didn’t u just wanted to melt away in a hole and never come out

Jungwon just grabed u and started to walked away until

“Yeah that’s right just walk away that’s why yuji never wanted to be with just walk away from all your problems that’s probly why she wouldn’t even have sex with u!”

He stoped and let go of your hand and the next thing u know he’s punching heeseung

“OMG JUNGWON”

…..

THERE WILL BE A PART TWO THIS WILL EVENTUALLY BE A SMUT BUT I THOUGHT I SHOULD LET U GUYS HAVE SOME PART AND NOT WAIT HELLA LONG

[rebornologist]

♡ Misc. KHR + PIERCINGS AU ₊⁎⁺˳✧༚

totally self-indulgent thoughts and thotdump on anything related to piercings and a few khr cuties

༚✧⁺˳₊˚‿︵‿︵‿୨୧ · ˳ · ♡ · ˳ · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿˚₊˳⁺✧༚

WARNINGS: piercings, some ideas with established relationships, mention of oral sex and sex and teeth, a whole schpiel about Gokudera as a piercer bc I got carried away... nsf/w sects under the cut!!

♡ Skull

Definitely guilty of being careless with his piercings, but he’s blessed with literal inhuman physiology so he easily overcomes every issue that arises with the aftercare. People with body mods can only dream of having it as easy as him…

He loves his body mods and I think he definitely loves other people with body mods!! Skull would get so giddy if his s/o suggested matching piercings or tattoos (I’ll save tatts for another time tho), and he enjoys changing his jewelry often for different events and sometimes literally just to show people how many holes are in his face as an absurd party trick. It’s very obvious that he has an absurd amount of metal in his body, but even he started losing track of the total over time.

There is nothing that flusters his s/o like the image of Skull absolutely worshiping their body, once he gets started he will not stop until he’s kissed them head to toe. They relish the feeling of smooth titanium contrasting with the warmth of his tongue as he runs the wet appendage over their flesh, following with open mouthed kisses and gentle bites, soft giggles escaping his parted lips as his partner squirms and curls beneath his touch.

His lip jewelry is definitely a statement piece, and there were initial mishaps with it getting caught in hair or other jewelry during particularly involved makeout sessions, so sometimes he’ll remember to remove the chain beforehand. He is a bit of a fiend for the feeling of it though, he loves his body mods and has gotten very used to the way the metal feels in and around his mouth, so he likes to have his fun with it!

The fandom seems to be obsessed with the idea of him having a dick piercing, soooo confirm/deny, y/n?

He’s quite proud of it and any extra bonus benefits it brings in the bedroom ;) However, he’s so used to piercings in general that he doesn’t think to warn his partner beforehand, so his s/o couldn’t decide if they were surprised or not when they first discovered what he was rockin’ down under.

♡ Belphegor

Bel with a tongue piercing. That’s it, that’s the post.

It gives him every excuse to urge his s/o to sit on his face any chance they get. He never keeps his stupid tongue in his mouth in his day-to-day life because he’s such a clown, but now he earns himself a flustered s/o whenever he sticks his tongue out suggestively.

Also the type to have a navel piercing; you’d get an eyeful of his lean torso, littered with scars, the crescent-shaped birthmark on his pretty waist fully visible with his pajama pants hanging loosely right below his hips, and a little shimmer of the jewelry in his navel. He most definitely will catch you staring, and will tease about it. He gets such an ego boost every time.

He’s observant, and despite hiding his eyes, being around this guy would just give you a sixth sense for when his eyes are focused on you. He’s fairly fascinated with the look of body modifications, and if his s/o had new jewelry in (perhaps even pieces that he gifted them), he would be sure to get a good long stare in, inspecting it before finally grinning ear to ear and complimenting their expensive tastes.

He seems like the type to have always wanted snakebites like every emo kid in the early 2000’s, but I can’t quite reason with him having them. Belphegor seems like the type to have an oral fixation, and that was bad news even when he wore faux lip rings, as he would absentmindedly end up gnawing on them while he was deep in thought, so the actual piercings just never worked out for him.

Also, will absolutely play with and tug on nipple piercings if available. He's a menace and you will have to stop him from chipping a damn tooth on the metal because he finds them fascinating to touch with his hands or with a more... mouth-on approach.

♡ Esper Mammon

Okay so I know it doesn’t really make sense for them because I think Mammon is kind of a wuss when it comes to physical pain, but the thought of the nation’s emo illusionist with at least some snakebites or venom piercings gives me so much serotonin so just let me have this.

The little ends of their tongue piercings would be a favorite of their partners! Their tongue piercing isn’t super obvious because their tongue stays in their mouth (except for certain occasions that only y/n would know about). They can imagine them wearing curved barbells or rings in their snakebite piercings and they just move so funnily when they’re emoting (their oh-so-common displeased face and pout) and it’s soooo frickin cute.

And to be a little thirsty up in here, the contrasting feeling of cold titanium and the way the metal knocks into your teeth when you’re making out (and Mammon gets pretty nasty when they feel like it) and the smoothness of the ball ends when you run your tongue over their jewelry never fails to send a shiver down your spine. They absolutely cannot deny that it makes their head spin, and maybe the initial piercing pain and complex healing process was worth it if the end result was this fun.

♡ Hayato Gokudera

He has quite a few ear piercings from his youth, and I can definitely see him rocking an eyebrow piercing in the future. He doesn’t think too hard about the sex appeal of it all, he just never really grew out of his emo phase clearly and still appreciates the aesthetics of it. It doesn’t soften his tough exterior at all, and he has lived his whole life not caring about how approachable he was.

That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t awaken something in him when his s/o compliments his choice of jewelry and how well his body mods suit him! The first few times they mention it, he’s a blushing mess; Later on, he takes that as a chance to show his thanks for the kind words ;)

Tattoo and piercing shop au Hayato would have me on my knees bro if he ever took up a job as a piercer, I would be a regular…

When you first walk in, the receptionist tells you that he’s the guy you booked with and initially you’re like ‘omg he’s terrifying I’m gonna die’ but then he flashes a small smile and tells you to sit and make yourself comfortable in the sterile room and he’ll be right back… and of course he returns with his hair up in a small ponytail and glasses perched on his tall nose, adjusting his black nitrile gloves before adjusting his equipment. Now you’re like, ‘oh I could get on board with this’. He doesn’t make small talk at all, but will check and double check, maybe even triple check to ensure that the marking and placement and everything is as you wish. And his hands are so steady that you take a deep breath in and breathe out as he instructs and suddenly, you’re rockin some delicious new jewelry and you’re forkin’ up a fat tip because that man is so damn foine and good at his job duh. For my voice lovin’ baddies in chat the way his voice rumbles deep in his chest when he whispers works like cat purring. I think that is the science behind it all.

[persephoneprice]

srry to hear ab ur day, so i wanted to send a pippa ask to cheer u up <3

i have this headcanon of modern!pippa wanting to become a primary/secondary school teacher, idk why but it just always made sense to me. she js has that aura of friendliness and enough care to want to make a difference in the lives of young kids, possibly bc she never got that when she was younger.

i also headcanon that she (along with the other mentors) grew up very rich and went to private schools, so her dad wanted her to have a job that he hand-selected for her (hc that he put her through dance as a kid, which she really enjoyed, but once her father put it as an actual career option for her she didn't like the idea) so when she wants to become a teacher he's not very happy about it, considering she wants to work in normal nurseries and schools compared to being a college teacher / a private tutor which he would probably respect a bit more.

she goes ahead with her father's wishes of pursuing dance, which is a hobby she used to love but isn't enjoying because it's not a hobby anymore, it's her life. but she also pursues being a TA on the side without her father knowing, just to test out how it is.

she starts to get really stressed out from constant rehearsal and trying to keep a social life too, that she almost considers quitting her job as a part time TA.

on the day she thinks she's gonna quit, mizzen comes to her office just to sit because he feels overwhelmed at the school. he draws starfish and they end up striking up a conversation about the beach (hc that pippa was raised going to the beach all the time, and mizzen grew up in a seaside town in ireland). mizzen starts to open up about why he feels overwhelmed and the things pippa says to him really seem to sink in and just seeing his face light up makes pippa know that this job is worth it. anyway she decides not to quit, because mizzen, as a kid with an undiagnosed learning disability (hc he has undiagnosed audhd, totally not me projecting here) would need breaks and talks like these so he could get through lessons and such, and she wanted to make him feel safe in the new school (a thing that she never felt as a kid)

anyway it was just a thing rotating around in my brain, you don't have to respond or anything i just figured id share my pippa hc w you since ur the pippa CEO!!

hope ur feeling better lily 💓

omg bel?? wtf YOURE ALSO having a bad day and yet you still sent me this to cheer me up 😭 what’s it like to be an angel fr?

persephone would be so good with children!! she would make such a good teacher. she’s the teacher that everyone wants to go back and visit once they get older.

alas, in every universe it seems like she puts her fathers wishes above her own 😔 but at least this time she’s got her little side hustle without him knowing!

AND THE PART WITH MIZZEN? i just stopped crying but i might fr just start again. that’s fucking precious omg

thank you so much for sharing this you’re an angel 😭

[arcanepactguile]

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐓 𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐘

ᴍᴏᴠᴇᴅ. ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇᴅ ʀᴘ ꜰᴏʀ — @poisonedspider

ᴀꜱᴋᴇᴅ - ᴍᴜꜱᴇ ᴀ ᴛᴇɴᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴜꜱᴇ ʙ’ꜱ ᴡᴏᴜɴᴅꜱ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ɴᴇᴄᴇꜱꜱᴀʀʏ

𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐄

Angel Dust had been at it again.

Whatever that was. So many things had become the norm, the debacles the spider got himself into turned into a blur. Alastor could've earned a side hustle: start taking bets every night, stacking the odds against the latest dramas Angel magnetised. The Radio Demon wasn't interested in inviting further attention to the misfits that were his tenants. There wasn't a need to encourage bad habits like his old comrade, Mimzy.

It's difficult enough as it was, shooing Nifty away �� upon seeing the right state Angel Dust walked in as, salivating over the exaggerated ‘bad boy’ impression, seeing how scruffed and bad tempered the spider effected, sending the curious cyclops away to oversee another errand had already sapped Alastor's patience.

Leading the actor out of the lobby, the trek up the winding grand staircase and hallways justified the extra time seeking a more private space. Grateful Nifty hadn't run into the pair on her return trip, once her curiosity got the best of her, her nose was so adept at sniffing out trouble… Alastor had securely locked the bathroom door behind them. The room’s heat exhaust fan & vent remained a problem. Hopefully, Nifty had forgotten about that. She’d use it as an alternative entrance without a second thought.

Pensive, the Radio Demon had finished giving Angel the perfunctory once-over. Frustrating, more than anything.

“Why is it that you love making a spectacle of yourself? Life not melodramatic for you?”

Sweeping a patch of matted fur aside, Alastor's tone contradicted the otherwise malicious choice of words — sincerity underscored the interrogation.

Seated Angel on the edge of the clawfoot bathtub, a first-aid kit lay open on the sink cabinet within reach. Standing in front of Angel, the Overlord had insisted on taking control. Spreading the patch of fur open located on the spider's shoulder, exposing the raw skin, Alastor very carefully pressed a gauze dressing into the seeping wound. An impressive graze, it appeared relatively unbroken deeper than the top layer of skin. There was no need to debride. Blood wicking, the gauze pad lifting the fluid away, Alastor held it there and waited, it didn't look like the only wound Angel somehow attracted.

Holding a small spray bottle of irrigation saline, Alastor was evidently in no hurry to finish tonight's job.

It was tiring, acting as in-house nurse. Alastor doubted bringing it up to Charlie was wise.

𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑

It wasn't like Angel had wanted to get into the trouble he had been on the receiving end of. For once, he had actually wanted to have as calm of a night as was possible for the star. He didn't have to work grueling hours, Charlie hadn't had any 'bonding' activities planned, and while he did love his time just sitting at the bar and chatting to Husk, he had been getting stir crazy.

He hadn't gone out alone, at least, but the fact that he had gone out with Cherri probably added an extra layer to why he was in the state he was in. She was his best bitch, but she didn't run away at the sight of trouble, instead very much leaning into it. It wasn't like Angel had gone off to join another turf war or anything of the sorts - believe it or not, he was actually fighting his ass off for redemption at this point, especially if it meant escaping this Hell. Literally.

Unfortunately being a super star like Angel meant that calm was something that never happened. He was pretty fucking good at standing up for himself, but sinners weren't pretty fucking good at saying no. He had tried to hold back, he didn't want it to look bad on the hotel. He cared about Charlie, and had already made her look bad on the very first day on Channel 666 News. He wouldn't do that again.

But words didn't seem to be enough with these sinners. Even when they knew who Angel belonged to. Both in the sense of the contract with Valentino, but also that he was staying at the hotel of the Princess of Hell - both incredibly powerful demons. Oh, and he supposed there was the fact that Alastor was a poster boy for the hotel as well. Yet despite this, they still insisted on getting handsy. Both with himself and Cherri. He was mostly doing it to protect his best bitch, until the hand had gone between his legs and -

He snapped out of his thoughts at Alastor's question, shooting a slight glare over towards the Radio Demon, before glaring and looking away. Anywhere but at Alastor. "Call meh' a fuckin' liar if yeh' want, but ah' didn't ask f' this." Not this time, anyways. "Ah've been tryin' tah' be on best behavior. 'Specially since Charlie is tryin' tah' use meh' as like, the poster child f' this whole thing." She'd briefly told him about the meeting with the Heavenly Court, and how the angels had all seen him stand up to Valentino. Lovely.

His lower set of hands seemed to fiddle with the bottom of his shorts, looking over the older's shoulder and seeing his reflection in the mirror. Covered in blood, like he had been shortly after Husk and him had taken out those loan sharks. He was surprised the other had been able to distinguish between what was Angel's and what was....fuck, he hadn't even gotten the guys' name before he had pulled out his guns. And then been surrounded by other guns.

He barely even flinched at the saline, so used to much worse pain than the littlest sting of disinfectant. "Yeh' really don't have tah' do this..." His accent was softer, showing how exhausted he was to even put on the porn star persona at the moment. "Ah' can take care of mah'self. Did it f' years before ah' even knew any of yeh'." Not that he minded the help, actually found it rather sweet, but he wasn't sure if he truly deserved it.

𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐄

Lifting one shoulder in a bemused shrug, Alastor casually disregarded Angel's incensed outburst, finding the whole situation rather funnier than he had let on. Charlie's determination adopting and fostering all the abandoned strays she constantly sent feelers out for, Angel's charity case stood highest amongst the collection. Far be it from the Hotel's overseer to start getting picky over the chosen tenants’ decisions outside the Hotel grounds.

“What reason have you given me to think you're lying now? You've been in a scuffle. You don't want to be bleeding all over Charlie's new carpet. What's more to be said?”

He hadn’t expected an answer, mindful not to probe too deep into Angel’s muddied thoughts for the time being. The actor’s stroppy attitude had flared; a warning sign the spider wasn't keen on the direction Alastor's humour was barrelling towards. Taking the used gauze away, adding it to a growing pile in the sink’s basin, Alastor wordlessly studied the rest of the spider's blitzed appearance, growing more all the worse for wear the longer the Radio Demon looked.

So long as none of them brought their troubles back here, they were free to do as they pleased. Within reason. Under a microscope. Getting the third degree. A lecture (two if you included Vaggie’s drill sergeant inclinations). “I don't want you playing with those kids any longer, you need better friends.” over-protective parenting, and all that jazz. Alastor's sincere interest in the porn star's leisurely hours notwithstanding, he had to hold back on the scathing criticisms if he didn't want to spook the spider enough to hit a brick wall during their neighbourly banter. Even so, the porn star looked like a moth-eaten piecemeal fit for cremation. Angel's avoidant tone demonstrative of his dismissive attitude towards self-help.

The Radio Demon endeavouring to lend a hand, in spite of the spider possessing a handy (hah) number of extra limbs, ignoring Angel's repeated gaffes served as the best diplomatic trade off. The deer demon wasn't too keen on getting his head getting bitten off again. Held accountable, Angel's resolute behaviour was stuck in a perpetual loop — managing stress with destructive behaviour. Rinse, repeat.

Convinced to get to the bottom of this latest drama, for now Alastor was happy to just shoot the celebrity an appraising look, lowering the bottle of saline solution, taking care of business was the first in line on his priorities checklist. Administering bandages, painkillers, and cosmetics simply wasn't going to cut it this time around. The trade off of dignity meant Angel Dust came out of t bathroom looking AND feeling like a million bucks.

That is, if he submitted to it. The Overlord's unusual compassionate support wasn't to be taken for granted. He could have just looked the other way and left the actor to fend Nifty (and perhaps Vaggie) with a sharp stick.

Shifting his grip on the saline, Alastor casually leaned in to brace his hands on the bathtub’s rim, elbows straightened and his posture stiff to adjust to the spider's bigger height difference, even so seated in front of him. Alastor's proposal seemed a daunting task. He had no idea what to expect — it might be easier trying to wrangle a cat, or drive a car with all four flat tires.

His tone wistful, Alastor fixed his calculating gaze on Angel's features, peering up at him. A glint of mischief shining, Alastor's diplomatic offer was spoiled, the Overlord's high spirits unveiling his true colours. The deer demon's static smile unflinching, he forged ahead. Hoping against all odds Angel's tractable without further ado.

"You know what I think? You need a bath. Feeling up to it?"

𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑

"Uh huh...a scuffle...." He's repeating, a little out of it. Not because he had hit his head too hard or anything, or even lost too much blood, but because he felt dirty in other ways. It wasn't like sinners avoided disrespecting him; the amount of times he had been roofied and taken advantage of was something he probably couldn't count on all six hands. But when he was trying to do better, to get clean, it seemed to hit a lot harder than most of Hell saw him as an object and not an individual.

His own head was running a mile a minute, to the point he was practically dissociating as Alastor took care of him. It wasn't like this was anything new for Hell's hottest star - half his films were shot in a dissociative state. Lower set of fingers curling around the rim of the bath tub, grabbing on as if letting go would lead to him letting go of his mind mentally. He wasn't even paying attention to Alastor. Had no idea what was going through the Overlord's head. Not that he would anyways - that smile hid so many things.

He only snapped out of it at the question, magenta mismatched hues moving over to look at the deer demon in front of him. "...do ah' really look that awful?" He knew the answer was yes. Eyes flicking briefly to the mirror yet again. While Al had seemed to be helpful in cleaning the most prominent wound, it didn't help that Angel's stark white fur was tinged with crimson. He was going to need to wash up eventually if he didn't want to cause a scene and worry Charlie

"Yeah, ah' guess ah' do." He answered himself, running a hand through the fluff atop his head which felt stiff and crunchy with dried blood at that point. "A bath ain't a bad idea. Or a shower." He hummed, using his lower hands to push himself off the edge of the tub, making sure to not knee Alastor in the face as the other was kneeling in front of him. His smile was gentle, appreciative. "Thanks f' helpin' meh' out, Al. Ah' really ain't meanin' tah' cause no trouble. Trouble just seems tah' find me."

𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐄

“Congratulations, that's one stop towards redemption — admitting when you're down,” Alastor interjected wryly, not fully sincere in his closely guarded belief that this time tomorrow night, Angel Dust most likely would show up at the hotel, in the trunk of a taxi cab. Looking even worse than he does now. Keeping that meandering train of thought to himself, Alastor leaned back to permit his tenant passage, before getting to his feet himself and standing up, quieted. Temporarily.

Rolling the saline bottle between his steepled claws together, looking over the tips to pin yet another burning stare on the spider's favorable mood, the pitch of his hushed voice risen to sternly emphasise that there'll be no negotiations, not now, not ever, not until he’d guaranteed he had Angel Dust’s dodgy slate wiped clean, the porn star's charade tonight disposed of. The window dressing covering up his injuries did nothing to heal the psychological injuries, supposing the celebrity had any capacity left to become a weapon against his own mind.

“Want to do a little soul-searching whilst I bail you out? Showers are good for that. Do a favor for me, I’ll be saving your skin. You needn’t talk to me, to put it differently, I’m no therapist… but, I’ll be pleased to listen. I doubt talking to your piglet will do much good…”

The Radio Demon's smile thinning, expression turning pensive, the deer dismissed the trailing thought that discourtesly attempted to invite other favors into the mix — mainly to ask about restricting Nuggets to an outside enclosure, or bring him into the front premises to charge guests for selfies with the nauseating swine. It wasn't crass, it was just a grossly off-topic suggestion to distract the spider. Utilising his advice spent rambling scrutinizing Angel's movements in the mean time, how he suppressed or revealed clues to other wounds or ills, Alastor held the solution bottle out, a peace-offering, his mood optimistic and insuppressible.

“Care to lead the way? Come on, break a leg, lest you want to snap both when Nifty’s found the sledge hammer again, it HAS been a while.. Y’know, on the doorlock. Not your legs.”

At that, Alastor's smile twitched, the dimples in his cheeks deepening as the smile came back, the fur/hair bristling around his piqued ears. No malice tinged his awkward joke; moreover, the disarming smirk brought along the discomfiting air of a yearning to intentionally leave the tool out in plain sight for the naughty cyclopes, except with a note attached — falsely explaining a competitor's hotel required overnight an emergency service to 'repair' their lobby.

𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑

"It ain't like ah' need bailed out." He mumbled, not attacking Alastor or being snippy, surprisingly. "Charlie knows th' kinda person ah' am. So does everyone. It ain't gonna surprise no one." He rolled his shoulders into a shrug - he was certainly a bit embarrassed by it, but it was nothing new when it came to Angel Dust. Of course, he would much rather the Princess think he had had a little redemption slip than what had really happened.

He stared by way of shock as the other kept talking, eyebrow raising slightly. He didn't quite know how Alastor knew that he spent many sleepless nights talking to Fat Nuggets, crying about what he was going through, but he didn't want to ask questions. Though now part of him wondered if the other tended to eavesdrop, or if he had his own ears everywhere, much like Vox had his own eyes. The thought made him a little nauseous, honestly.

"Nuggs is a good listener, too." He pointed out in defense of his swine. "Plus he ain't judgmental like some people." Though the Radio Demon had been rather kind in helping him out, he still didn't necessarily trust Alastor. Or why he was doing this in the first place. Still, he sighed, shooting the other a deflated look. "Hm. Fine." He didn't think Alastor would drop it if he had told him to fuck off, so he decided it was just better to let it happen. Whatever it was.

He walked down the hallway fairly quickly, longer legs making it much easier to move faster. He reached his bedroom door in no time, which was connected to his own personal bathroom. He had made sure this happened in the renovation, if only because Angel could take for-fucking-ever to get ready for the day. He mindlessly kicked a few sex toys under his bed with his boot, formerly mentioned hellpig looking up, before nuzzling his head back down, too tired to care.

Angel hadn't even taken a second to hesitate, stripping out of the blazer that was ruined at this point, that he knew he would have to fix up later, tossing it onto his bed, along with his bow tie. He walked into his bathroom, leaning over the sink and looking in the mirror, lips pursed together. "Ah' look like shit." A whine, noticing there had been a few more wounds he had ignored now that he was topless. "Those fuckers really got me."

𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐄

“Could’ve fooled me, on both accounts. I've never known you to reject help, when you're in a pit of despair, even a pit as complicated as this one,” Alastor half-muttered under his breath. Not to attract unwanted attention lest somebody was lingering outside in the corridor as Angel swung the door open recklessly; upsetting the spider's frayed courage after he'd made headway into their discreet comradeship, the Radio Demon had no intentions to defuse the situation with an insulting commentary.

Whereas encouraging Angel's forced bravado and good humour, black humour, provided reignited insight into the inner workings of the absent-minded younger man, upsetting the order would achieve nothing pleasurable.

Cleaning up the clutter and mess Angel Dust had left behind in the guest bathroom amounted to a task suited for somebody else. The blood-tinged dressings the main culprit, all arrows pointing to a certain troubled tenant with a penchant for dubious brawls, Alastor remedied the connundrum by way of effortlessly locking the door behind him — leaving a OUT OF SeRVICE: GATOR IN THE PIPES’ sign on the doorknob. The stag Overlord had briskly put back together the first aid kit and tucked it away underneath an innoxious bath towel draped over his arm, too late to fall into perfect step beside the spider as he had left him in the dust.

There was a pun or simile somewhere, there.

Striding into the porn star's personal quarters like he was accustomed to just barging into his tenants’ rooms on a regular basis, it was routine however to halt after closing the entry door observantly after a quick scan of the interior, fully aware of the adjacent en suite but uninterested in taking the lead. The quick journey to here went swimmingly well, no late night visitors stumbling into this fine mess, the Hotelier was prudent to curb new distractions.

The aforementioned swine was in calm repose in the bedroom, presumably he’d been like that ever since his immature owner had flown out the door earlier to get to work on time. Or climbed down the window after assembling a rope made out of expensive bedsheets. Whichever was the mainstream favorite way of avoiding detection upon returning home.

Wrinkling his nose as the pungent odor of pig at length had hit him, the Radio Demon cast the lethargic pig a brief disapproving glance as he crossed the thresholds to join Angel Dust in the bathroom.

Mood inscrutable for a time, Alastor remained standing stock-still in the open doorway, his eyes drifting over Angel's uncovered back first — taking his time leisurely, frosty gaze retracing the path back up to take in what was reflected from the bleeding addict's front in the mirror.

Scepticism riddled his voice: the Radio Demon setting down the extra towel and first aid kit on the sink counter, adamant not to lay a single finger on the actor — not before the clean up was ready. “As beautiful as a train wreck. Is it any easier to tell me where they ‘didn’t’ get you?” Preoccupying his hands — and thoughts wandering back to Fat Nuggets potentially inviting himself in sooner or later, curious — Alastor turned his back, relieving the shower stall of anything that was better off out of the way, like more towels or suspicious toys.

If there were any, Alastor didn't comment, more or less quiet as he rearranged Angel's shower fit for tonight's purpose. A faded melody hung in the air, a calm tone unlike an elevator’s aggravating jingle. Static occasionally filtered through, the Radio Demon did not react to any interruption from the porn star, an austere shadow of the deepest concentration etched on his features, ears pricked up.

Stepping back, without pretence, the buck demon inwardly competed with the rising urgency to exit instead of trying to ensure Angel's comfort, leave the spider demon to himself in private. Endeavoured to match Angel's discomfort, reaching behind his own neck to undo his bowtie, holding it tightly in one hand as he partially undressed; shrugging his coat off, the Overlord paused halfway, arms still in the sleeves, the shoulders lowered, shirt unbuttoned. Hesitation got in the way.

Leaving Angel room to back up and enter the shower, or not, Alastor stopped his taxing stripping to pose another question, shrugging the coat back up brazenly, aware of his sudden departure from joining the spider in the shower — it was still turned off, waiting.

Inquisitive, the cowed Radio Demon’s reservations undressing halfway to mirror the spider, a twinge of regretful conscience holding him back when he had defiantly placed a hand on his subject’s lower arm at the elbow, applying gentle pressure to hopefully steer him away from the revealing mirror to hide himself under the showerhead or else.

“You’ll feel better the sooner you get yourself cleaned up. No more dallying — I came here to help, not to watch you wallow in misery. Are you a man, or a pig?” Peering up at the porn star, ears flattened to streamline, the buck added firmly, throwing caution to the wind —

“You’re a tall order. I haven't yet met a job I walked away from. Do you want to be the first?"

𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑

Angel Dust hadn't been paying too much attention to what Alastor was doing behind the scenes, and even if he had been, he wouldn't have minded all that much. It wasn't like the porn star was one for keeping too many secrets. At least, not about the stuff that Alastor would be baring witness to in those moments. His shower had definitely had toys in them, but just like his body, that wasn't something he was ashamed of. It felt like common nature.

He had been poking at some of his wounds, fully exploring his identity within the realm of that mirror. He hadn't looked at himself when he had first come in, and now that he saw his reflection, it was challenging to pull away. No wonder Alastor hadn't wanted anyone to see him before he got cleaned up. He had missed the entirety of what would have normally caught his interest fairly easily - the Radio Demon stripping in front of him.

That just showed how distracted and disconnected Angel was in the moment. Normally he would have been completely shook that Alastor was comfortable enough to undress in front of him, even if it was just his arms exposed. But by the time the stag had touched his arm and snapped him out of his spiral of self-loathing, the jacket had been pulled back on. He could tell something was out of place by the lack of bow tie, but.

"Technically ah'm a spider." He teased, shit-eating grin spread across his features. At least he had enough of his personality in the moment to allow some humor. "Ain't no insult t' be a pig, neither. Nuggs is cute as a fuckin' button." He poked the other in his chest for daring to make such a comparison, before rolling his eyes, finally giving a shake of his head. "No. Couldn't mess up yeh' perfect streak of good will." He's snorting, before sighing.

"Ain't sure how else yeh' plan t' help, though. What, yeh' gonna monitor me in the shower? Make sure ah' don't fall and crack my head or somethin'?" As he's saying this, he's already undoing his black shorts, shimmying them down his thighs and kicking them to the side. His body was on display for all of Hell, being naked was nothing. Even in front of arguably the most powerful Overlord in Hell.

Naked as the day he was born, he walked over to the shower, turning some knobs and watching the shower head flicker before starting to spill the streams of water. There was only one hesitation at this point, Angel inhaling a deep breath, before looking over his shoulder. Alastor could stare at him naked all he wanted, but - "Don't....don't look at my feet, k? Don't make fun of them neither. It's....I don't..." A shake of his head. Showers were when he was most vulnerable, because everything was on display. He didn't even take those boots off in porn

Bare butt hopping onto the counter top, he pulled up one long leg, grabbing the zipper and pulling it down his calf. Grabbing the boot by the bottom of the heel, tugging it off and tossing it aside. He didn't even look at his own little spider paws as he removed one shoe, and then the other, blushing and looking completely embarassed for once in his life. Angel prided himself on his looks, but was terrified of looking ugly with his ridiculous anatomy.

So he was moving to the shower too quickly at that point, as if it would prevent Alastor from seeing anything, hopping in and letting out a whine because - "How is this s'posed t' help? That fuckin' hurts." The wounds burning at having the hot water against them, or just any contact at all honestly.

𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐄

“Yes, it's not a ridiculous assumption… You need help, dressing your injuries, ensuring you've done it right,” the deer demon retorted a little bit too harshly, chagrined that the addict was making light of such a serious situation as this. Not literally this, the embarrassment of the shower, but whatever it was that the other demon had suffered tonight, before his grand return home. It was suspicious.

Skeptical, Alastor's irritation cooling down, the deer waved a dismissive hand, calmly turning his body at an angle away so as to lend Angel laughable privacy within his own bathroom, stark naked.

The Radio Demon's eyes were pinned to the glaring reflection in the mirror, the other side of Angel's exposed body plainly seen, easier when the peeved porn star had shuffled onto the counter to finish shedding his boots.

“I promise. I don't particularly care to joke about other’s bodies. There's no fun in tormenting the self-conscious, I’d be a hypocrite if I ever was caught mocking differences,” the buck breathed out slowly, his murmurings reaching another low pitch as he waited patiently for Angel launch into what was honestly plaguing him — which never came to be. Silent as the dead, the other demon kept playing dumb, to the Radio Demon's displeasure.

The anthropomorphic feet were a given. Deliberately failing to mention his digitigrade cervine legs in comparison for solidarity, clovenhooves tapping hollow whenever he moved in contrast to his shoes' solid soles. The subject Alastor truly wanted to examine, was the actor's entanglement with who he roughly guessed to be thugs. Seriously doubting Valentino would let him leave a shoot sporting injuries without taking the chance to hold on for overtime, filming an impromptu encore or stand-alone flick, featuring Angel's assortment of fresh wounds.

Alastor's greed for knowledge was unsatiated.

Smiling grimly as the revealed, unseen wounds could only briefly be reviewed in the time it took Angel to slip off the heavy boots and escape to the shower, the rising steam fogging up the glass sooner than Angel was ready to hop off the sink. The snapshot of the actor's bleeding back chiselled into the Overlord's brain, the piercing whine ringing out from the shower drew the Radio Demon's attention back.

“What did you expect? Imagine going to bed, unwashed, and waking up tomorrow, your clothes glued to your skin with blood... The dilemma destroying both spoiled clothes and bedding," he summed up the drama, casting the addict a furtive glance at his retreating back before he saw to himself.

Lips moving silently not in prayer but self-chastisement, convinced he was going to regret this, the Radio Demon's resumed undressing — the prospect of his companion turning into a two-faced bully notwithstanding, the buck quietly and efficiently stripped quickly whilst Angel was busy complaining about the pain. Shrugging off his coat, slipping off the undershirt, harness, and belt; folded neatly next to the first aid kit, the deer demon unenthusiastically finished, removing his shoes/sock-garters, trousers and briefs. Reaching behind his lower back to unbutton the tail-fly to tug his tail through the slit was surprisingly the turning point of the private performance, the buck's fingers fumbling with the fastening as he had a temporary spark of sheer panic, as if he weren't already nearly naked and exposed.

The setback almost persuaded Alastor to change his mind about the plan.

Wrapping the extra towel he had brought around his waist snugly, wary, the stag decisively stepped over to observe Angel - at an arm’s length away, initially, the deer demon extending both hands to gently encircle Angel's shoulders from behind, fingers curling around the rounded curves where his upper arms began. The spray of the water immediately soaking the deer’s arms, up to his elbows, the majority of the hot water shielded by the spider's body. Stroking his thumbs in a gentle, circular motion across Angel's shoulder blades, gaze lowered to study the water turn a shade of pink as the blood was drenched — his delicate question was pronounced, perceptive.

“Are you going to tell me what really happened tonight?”

[blackbutler-readerinsertsandjunk]

May I please request the Noah’s Ark Circus crew with a multilingual s/o? I legit feel like the s/o would call them pet names in their native language on a regular basis. I speak English, Spanish, and French irl.

aaaaaaaaa cute!!

Oh, God, just make ‘er weak in the knees, why don’t y’? There’s something about not knowing her S/O’s language that frustrates her, because she only speaks English. However, what makes up for it is the fact that she learns certain words based on what they call her. ‘Mi amor’? That’s the equivalent of her calling them ‘love’, and it makes her feel… happy. She learns by the tone of their voice that what they’re calling her is a very affectionate thing, so… that’s all she needs to know. (She does make sure she knows at least one curse word in one of their languages, though. Just in case she needs it.)

Aaaah… will they say nice things t’ ‘im that ‘e doesn’t understand, often? For whatever reason, that hits him in a part of his heart that he can’t fully describe, to himself or anyone else. Sometimes he feels bad that he doesn’t know everything they’re saying, but, then again, they don’t expect him to. All he really wants is to listen to them calling him pet names, and blush, and cuddle up to them as he returns the sentiment in English. “Lumière de ma vie”… please don’t ever stop calling him that? He knows what it means, and it makes him smile, and he wants to hear it at least once every day.

Oh, goodness! Their sweet’eart knows wot they like t’ ‘ear, don’t they? This is possibly one of the best concepts they’ve ever had in their life; wonderful little terms of endearment, just for them, in a language they don’t speak. They know their S/O must be calling them good things, because of the tone of voice… it makes them feel so warm. Although they know that, it doesn’t stop them from asking (Name) to give them some basic lessons. Don’t blame them, they just want to be able to hold a small conversation in another language. Plus… they want to be able to call their S/O “querida/querido” like (Name) does to them.

Awww, well, doesn’t ‘e got the mos’ darlin’ li’l thing on ‘is arm? Really, he doesn’t know what he did to deserve them, but he’ll gladly do it again if that means they won’t stop. Much as he’s interested in other languages, he doesn’t feel like he has the time nor energy to commit to learning a new one. Just listening to his S/O call him things like “amoreaux” and they do it in the most loving tone imaginable, that’s close enough. He loves to listen to them talk in whatever language they feel like talking in, and he could drift off to their voice if he felt like it. And although he’s self-conscious about his pronunciation… they might be able to get him to (shyly) say a few romantic things in whatever language they choose. He aims to please, after all!

Mmmh… they’re way too sweet t’ ‘im, ain’t they? Callin’ ‘im nice things like that. On one hand, he doesn’t feel like he deserves it. On the other hand… a couple of pet names in, and he starts to melt. After the first two or three times his S/O calls him some loving name in another language, it begins to break him down. He’s very much a person who lets his S/O do whatever as long as it’s not harmful to them or anyone else, so that’s his approach to this too. “Tesoro” is one that gets him to blush, more than any other, since he’s learned what these things mean. To be treasured by someone… ah, well… he thinks he can live with that.

Nnnnnghh, do they really ‘afta call ‘im nice, soft things like that all the time? It’s not like he hates it, of course not. He just… he finds it hard to handle, the fact that someone wants to give him these pet names that are so much better than he thinks he is. He doesn’t understand the other languages, but he knows from what his S/O tells him what those words mean that they call him. For whatever reason, his absolute favorite is when they murmur, “bel homme” to him in any situation. It’s… not really so bad, when he adjusts to it. He also makes them teach him every curse word in every language they know. Hey, he might need one of them someday!!

(Goodness, what a charmer. You should find something sweet to call them in return.) He… supposes that wouldn’t be a bad idea, Wordsworth. A… any suggestions?! As it stands, Snake is actually the one who understands more of these languages than his S/O might expect. He likes to read, so it’s not far-fetched to think he’s come across a few of them before. Though… he’s still incredibly flustered by any of them being used on him. His S/O calling him “mi corazón” — how does he respond? Use that term back to them? Or something else…? He gets nervous trying to use the snakes’ comments for flirting, even though they’re happy to help. He just sort of curls up against (Name) and stammers out a thank you, managing to call them ‘love’ or something similar before blushing a whole bunch.

Aah, well… are they sure they wanna say stuff like that t’ ‘er? Hah, once they say it… they can’t take it back! The languages themselves are lost on her except for picking up bits and pieces from what they say, but the intent behind them isn’t. Even though she might not know exactly what they’re saying, she knows what they’re saying. Being called something even so simple as “ma chérie” makes her blush a bit; it makes her feel as if her S/O is treating her just like any other woman, and she enjoys that immensely. Once in a while, she’ll nestle into them and ask if they might call her one of those pet names, or she’ll ask what they’d like her to call them in another language. She’s… surprisingly comfortable with it.

[iamdarkness]

Iris

Chapter 6.

Friend.

Alfonse and Sharena meet a dear friend and teacher.

Zacharias carried Alfonse into one the infirmary tents, followed closely by Feraht who carried a protesting Bel. She had been hit with various spells and was unaware of her bleeding from various places besides her twisted ankle. He could hear Feraht quietly telling her that her ankle was already too swollen to put weight on it and that it was not a problem to carry her as she was not heavy at all.

Zacharias laid Alfonse on one of the cots next to a blond girl that could not be too much older than his own sister Veronica. She looked feverish as well. He felt a knot in his stomach at the mental image of his little sister laying on the cot hurt and in the same condition. Without giving it too much thought he sat in between the cots and brushed away the blond hair sticking to the feverish face. The green eyes tried to open but failed. If they had not arrived in time , those monsters would be in possession of these children and who knows what they would be doing to them. He had been told what the cult had done, including child sacrifices. His breath caught in his throat and he swallowed hard.

-Sharena too?- He hears Bel ask worriedly.

-Yes Mam and Bertha. You were lucky to only get the scrapes and cuts. Although the foot does look very bad. - Said the lancer Aleen to her. Indeed the foot looked so swollen , the healer was having trouble taking her boot off. It had a bump the size of a tomato. Zacharias wondered about the familiarity the servant talked to the Lady. Bel nodded at the lancer, then looking to the healer who was checking her for internal bleeding. She asked.

-Can you please fix it enough to walk a little? I need to check up on my daughter if you don’t mind.

- I can go ask Lord Andreas my lady. I also need to report.- Said Feraht.

-My lady since you are being tended to. Please give me leave to take Gudrum to the healers. He was hurt in the posses of defending the young lady Sharena and refused to be seen until you arrived safe.

-Please take him to the healer!- Bel exclaimed. Aleen went out the tent.

-Your retainer is right My Lady.- The healer said after a magic scan.- You are lucky. All your wounds are superficial and the ankle will heal in a short period after I fix it. It is a blessing it is not broken.-She paused and looked at the lady smiling.- And the best of all is that your pregnancy was not affected. Congratulations.

-Eh..mm…Pregnancy? How…how long…how far along?

-You did not know? Let me see…Umm…Ah! It is still very early… Little wonder you still did not know. I would say three weeks. I am surprised you are fine after falling off of a horse my…My lady?- The healer stopped. Bel was trembling like a leaf and an instant later she hear her sobbing.

-A baby…He left me a baby…Thank you…- Bel said but the healer was not sure if she was talking to her or her fallen husband. Being Emblan, the healer had forgotten who her husband was and what had happened to him. Now she felt awkward and a little ashamed to have just blurted out the information.

-My condolences Lady Andreas. I... Am so sorry...- The healer finally said and after checking on Alfonse and tending to his needs exited the tent to help with the rest of the patients. As much as she would have wanted to stay and help the lady there was a lot of work to do.

Zacharias watched saddened, as Bel turned to the sleeping Alfonse and changed the cloth on his brow, still crying softly. She then turned to watch Sharena and figured she wanted to do the same to her but was too far away and across the boy Alfonse and in her state she could not.

-I can take care of her. Do not worry.

-Thank you. You seem very good with children.

-I have a little sister. I am sorry about your husband. I met him days before the last battle started. He was a great warrior and a good man.

-Yes he was…and a good parent too.

-Yes. He was talking about you and your little girl. Seemed to miss you a lot and I could tell he was happy to be able to see you again.

-Ah…it was that night. What are you to Lord…

-Zacharias? - The both of them turned when they heard the voice coming from the tent entrance. It was the Baron.- Lady Andreas. Lord Andreas need to talk to you both together.

-The children need to be taken care of.- Said Zacharias with a knitted brow.

-Of course.- Said the Baron and in that instant he looked almost servile. He looked back outside of the tent and called out to the healer.- You will care for the children and Lady Andreas exclusively. Do you understand? They are not to be alone for any circumstances! Who knows if there’s still vermin around.

-Yes My Lord.

Saying this the Baron and Zacharias helped Bel out of the tent and into one of the rooms of the nearest houses that turned out to be an Inn. Inside Lord Andreas waited for them.

The baron and Zacharias helped her into a chair and made to go outside but was stopped by the Lord.

-Please stay. It is better to get on with this matter first while we are in a better state of mind.- The Lord of the Mountains said to the two. They looked at each other and sat around the table that had been placed in the room. Lord Andreas then turned to Bel.- Daughter. I… I apologize for having to bring you here in your state and making the Lords bring you. I am sure you will understand this is a delicate matter that can not be discussed where other people may intrude.

-It is fine father. Go on.

-This matter was discussed with Alfonse and his Majesty King Gustav before the attacks. This young man presented to you as Zacharias is in truth one of the heirs to the Emblan throne Prince Bruno. He was the one that closed the gate so the attackers would not pursue Deana and Oly. Indeed as illegitimate as his birth is, he along with his sister are the only hers with the gift of the Goddess Embla. This is what matters in Emblan Society to legitimize the claims to the throne. As it is only the line of the first Queen and King that can carry the gifts.

-I see…Wait…Alfonse …- Bel started confused, but stopped as it may be a delicate matter. Bel remembered that Alfonse had said that he had fought at the last battle and it had been him who had struck the final blow that killed the late emperor who would have been Bruno's father and first cousin to the Empress. This had been the reason Alfonse had been made general of all the armed forces of Askr so early in his life. The Empress had married obscenaly fast to a noble and had bore him a daughter soon after. She remembered Alfonse telling her the late man had a bastard son product of an infidelity and Bel understood why the Empress was not so sad by his passing.

- That is a talk for later times daughter.- Adrien told her thinking she meant to ask why her husband and himself could open portals. He cleared his throat and went on.-As I was saying the situation of his birth and the gift had made for conspiracies among the rest of the line to the throne, has put at risk his life.

- Some of the nobles think I want to harm my own sister for the place on the throne, which is the furthest from the truth. They think that because I was the result of my late father’s indiscretion I have no familial link with her and no love between us.

-With this in mind a plan was made to hide him away. As he has lived most of his life in province with a handful of people as company. This include his sister to whom he has served as a magic teacher and the Baron; so most nobles have never seen him. This helps his situation greatly. The plan was to say that he was exiled by the Empress to appease the nobles. While he is safe in our care. Gustav agreed with this plan and Alfonse volunteered to host him in our home as if he was one of our distant relatives.

-Oh! If Alfonse agreed then, I agree. I saw you with Sharena…- She said to Bruno.- I can see they do not know you. Of course they still would want you out of the way. Does this mean you forfeit your place to the throne?

-If it was up to me, it would my lady, but the gift ensures the place even when I do not desire it and I will use it if it means saving my sister.- Those words were said in a solemn tone but Bel could see the sentiment behind them in his expressive violet eyes.

-For now it is better for you to be out of harm’s way. Welcome to the family. Alfonse may be gone but father and I will make sure you are safe.- She says smiling. Bruno thanks her smiling.- He is going back to the mountains with us then father? And the Baron as well?

- Yes. For now only Zacharias will remain with us. Having the Baron as guest may attract suspicion, but he is going to be living close by.

-Yes my lady with your father’s help I will be able to buy a state near the sea on the East side of the mountains. It will be close enough to the border…for appearance’s sake.

- Oh…otherwise they will think you were truly a spy…- The man nods.

-And I can keep an eye on the situation in Embla and the prince. In other words: Spy.- He says smiling.- But for a good reason. After all. I have known the Askr nobles and the idea the people have of them in the empire is preposterous. I trust them, but those who do not know them believe all kinds of lies told to them by the late Emperor’s sympathizers.

- I am afraid the Empire has fallen under a wave of corruption that will make it difficult to wash away. War seems more imminent as time goes by.- Says Zacharias and he looks troubled and sad.

- We will have time to plan something your Highness. Your safety is the utmost importance as of now. I will go and prepare for our departure as soon as you think if most convenient Lord Andreas.

-There are not many wounded and as much as I do not want to move the children they will be better cared for at the castle; so you will be going back as soon as possible. Do you agree daughter.

-Yes. Henriette and Gustav need to know and be there for them as much as they can.

-Then that matter is settled.

-We will be on our way. Your Highness?- The Baron said and indicated for both of them to leave. Bruno nodded and followed him out.

- A question before you go?- Bel asks turning to the retreating pair.- What does Embla know about what the Hel Cult wanted with us?

-The official report I sent to the capital was that they wanted to help Hel get revenge on both kingdoms. I have already talked you your late husband and Lord Andreas about what we knew. - At this the Baron looked at Lord Andreas. They bad discussed the matter previously. The Baron and the prince had realized the truth of what it meant to the late General, that the target was his wife and his young cousin and had made away with the evidence and had silenced the people who knew about it besides themselves. They knew how volatile this information could be and how it would be used in Embla against these innocent people.- We decided to leave the information about you and the heir of the King out of the report. We do not want more trouble to come to you from the sympathizers in the Empire. - At this Bruno assented. He hated to lie but he had been told that the Lady was not aware of who the real heir of Líf was and what it meant for her. He had agreed that all of the information about it had to be hidden away or destroyed.

- Do not worry my lady. You are safe and so will your dear ones.- Said Bruno.

-Thank you…Zacharias.- Bel said to get used to the name.

After the pair left, the Lord made a long pause before speaking.

- Daughter. I have been briefed about the incident…there is no easy day to inform you.. - He sighs and Bel could see he looked…defeated? Sad? Nervous?. Bel was worried. The man never showed so much feelings.- We do not know where Deana went.

- What? You didn’t have this planned? I though…- She started. She was crying now and was trying her best not to fall into hysteric. She knew her father was smart and would find out where Deana had gone. At least she wanted to believe so.

-No. I was not informed she could open portals. Henriette failed to tell us if you remember.- Bel nodded but she had thought he at least had been informed.- I sent Feraht and other mages to check the residual magic and I will go as well. After all… If I can open the portals I may be able to tell where the portal led...Deana may still be able to return…although…

-Feraht said she could not have made it…My poor baby…alone…in a strange place…Father we can not leave until we find out!…But the children…

- I will stay. Worry not.- The man said kneeling by her feet and taking her hands in his.- I will do all it takes to find our little girl. Go with the children. They are in our care and I know you will protect them. I do not expect another attack this early with so many of them killed.

-I will take care of them father. I gave my word and I want them safe…besides we have Zacharias to keep safe as well….- She paused and then added.- Father…please do find out where Oly went… I want her with us when the baby is born.- She said and smiled through the silent tears. Adrien looked surprised and then overwhelmed by the different conflicting feelings he cried silently. He had lost his only son whom he had resented all of his life for the death of his wife. The gilt he felt and sadness at not being able to make it up to him had consumed him the last coupled of years and now he was lost and in the worst possible way. He knew his son was not only dead, but he suffered and there was nothing he could do to help him. And now he had lost his granddaughter. He had promised his son that should something happen to him, he would keep his daughter safe. He had failed at everything. Yet here her daughter has given him hope. The hope of a new life. A blessing.

-Daughter. We are blessed.- He said and embraced her.

[Line break]

Bel went back to the castle at Djuprgat. Zacharias and her were caring for Sharena and Alfonse. Her foot was useless still but she could manage by sitting by Sharena inside the wagon on the way back. It took them less time because they were not resting at all. They all knew the importance. They reached the city the next day. A messenger had been sent and Henriette was waiting for them.

Even in the infirmary Bel and Zacharias would not leave the siblings. Gustav had come to see them a couple of times and Henriette passed all of her free time with them. It was not much and already the preparations were being made to depart to the capital where other matters were waiting for the royal couple. Bel and Zacharias would stay along with the children and Lady Klara.

Henriette had informed Gustav about Deana and he who had always been courteous to her, but never warm had understood Deana’s desire to remain hidden, he still had lamented not knowing her better.

Alfonse woke up completely on the third day. Bel had gone to get evaluated again when this happened. Zacharias who was reading a book about local history had felt the stare and turned to see the boy looking intensely at him. The gaze seemed to be signalizing him. Zacharias arched an eyebrow.

-You are in the infirmary.

-I know.

-..because you were attacked and were feverish for days.

-Are you a healer?

-No.

- I saw your face…many times… in dreams…

-You were coming in and out of your unconsciousness frequently. My name is…

-You felt warm…- Alfonse said almost in a whisper mostly in recollection.-You stayed with me all this time. Why?

-I..with you and your sister. You are correct. Cousin Bel has been…

-Sharena? Is she alright? Where is she?- Alfonse suddenly exclaimed looking around until his frenetic eyes landed on the figure on the bed across the room. He tried to get up but was still too weak to do so.

-She has not come out of her sleep but is otherwise in good condition. You were more hurt by the fall and the spells. We still don’t know what they hit you with. What do you remember?- Alfonse seemed reassured by the news. He turned and remained a while with his eyes closed.

- I…I don’t remember much…Except that we were going to the mountains I suppose to visit cousin Alfonse, Bel and Oly. - The boy said trying to remember. Zacharias’s brows furrowed at the mention of the fallen general.- No…he… he died, didn’t he?- Zacharias nodded but the child had his eyes still closed.- We were attacked in the castle but I do not know by whom…..He died by our tree…Then we were attacked on the way to the mountains…but I can’t remember…What happened?… Was it Embla?… Are we at war with them again so soon?…I just…The only thing I remember is …your face telling me I would be alright… That I was safe…

- I suppose, the theory was right. You were hit with multiple spells before Cousin Bel covered you with her body. Probably a combination of memory and stunning spells. She was not hit herself by sheer luck.

-I see…Who are you? You have called Lady Andreas “cousin” twice.- Alfonse now looked at Zacharias with suspicion.

- A little late to ask names. Don’t you think? - He says eyes twinkling. Zacharias was not the kind to be joking lightly but Alfonse had just woken up from a horrible experience and he wanted to make him feel at ease.- But I suppose there were more pressing matters and no room for courtesy from the prince of our nation.

-Prince..I…I apologize. I was worried about my sister.- Alfonse blushed a little.

-Understandable. I was jesting your highness. My name is Zacharias. I am a distant relative of Lord Andreas. - Zacharias said smiling and proceeded to tell the boy the story they had come up with as cover. On the telling Zacharias argued with himself about whether to tell Alfonse all the missing memories about the incident. He decided to talk to Bel before doing it.

-So you will be living with us now?… I mean with cousin Bel?- Alfonse amended and he blushed again by the mistake.

-Yes. By the way. I will have to leave you for a while she has been gone too long and may need help coming back.

-Why? Is she hurt or Oly? Is Oly alright!?

-I…-Zacharias saw the boy seemed alarmed and decided to try and calm him down.- Cousin Bel twisted her ankle very badly but she is fine. I am not sure where Oly is right now.- He said avoiding Alfonse’s eyes.

-Oh…I suppose she is playing somewhere. She is always so happy…

==I do hope so too…wherever she is.== Zacharias thought but said nothing as he went out the door to talk to Bel.

[Line break]

Alfonse stood looking at the distant mountains. His father figure was gone, his best friend had disappeared and his memories were not back. Cousin Bel and Uncle Andreas had explained to him what had happened.

Bel had not agreed on not telling at least Alfonse the truth about Hel but the boy was still not her child and so she had to help lie to him about the attack. Gustav and Henriette wanted their kids to grow up nightmare free and Bel could understand that but she also understood that cultists would not give up on their efforts and and she was sure there were more and very powerful members still around. She wanted them to be ready like she always did. She was a worrier and her motto was always “Hope for the best and prepare for the worst”.

Alfonse had been told that it had been a rouge Emblan revel group who supported the ideals of the late Emperor. He was a war mongering man who wanted to gain more land and was partial to hostilities with Askr. The war had waged for years. Bel had been a newly wed when Alfonse had gone to the last battle and had killed the late Emperor.

Adrien had come two days after Alfonse and Sharena who also had forgotten many details about the attack and told them, Oly was lost in where he thought was the World of Steel. This was later confirmed when Zacharias who had been very close to the attacker had seen something inside the portal that after drawing a sketch turned out to be, the rear end of a car with a licence plate that as Bel had said, was of European origin.

Bel had been inconsolable and her only outlet was to take care of Sharena, Alfonse and Zacharias whom she had taken as her protegee. Alfonse would have felt jealous if he had not seen her cry so long and him console her so tenderly, just as Alfonse would his own sister.

The only good that had come out of this in Alfonse’s opinion was that Bel was having a baby. He swore to himself to get stronger and protect the child, since he had not been strong enough to protect his best friend Oly.

He looked back at the training ground where Zacharias was instructing his sister on how to use the lance. Zacharias was a mysterious youth. He talked about himself seldom and Bel had hinted it was because of the situation of his birth. Alfonse understood even thought he had no problem with it, but he thought that given time Zacharias would come around and open himself to them. After all he seemed like a lonely person who cherished the right company. Zacharias was ever close to either Bel, his sister or himself. Even more than his now retainer and instructor Einar. Bel had asked his mother before they had gone away to the capital, if it would be alright for Sharena to be trained not just as a hobby like most members of high society were but, just like Alfonse had been trained. Trained to be a warrior. Her mother had agreed but Sharena had not wanted another instructor that was not Zacharias. Zacharias had agreed to train her himself.

The youth had proved to be a very proficient and patient instructor in Alfonse’s opinion. He new well how to deal with Sharena’s extra energy and enthusiasm. Specially now that she wanted to train physically but was limited to theory and strategy because of her resent ordeal. He made the teachings fun and engaging so the princess was always attentfull and even Alfonse himself would be interested in the lessons. So much so in fact that he had asked for sparring cessions with the blond man when he felt wholly recovered.

- Thinking of Oly?- Alfonse heard Zacharias’s voice behind him. He turned to see Bel and Sharena’s retreating backs Zacharias then added.. - We are taking a break. Sharena is very enthusiastic but she needs to take a rests. They have gone to bring lunch and tea.- Alfonse nodded.

- Yes. I am still thinking on how we are going to rescue her. Great uncle Andreas has taken fault at her disappearance…but I know it would not have been him who opened the portal to the world of Steel. I do not recall much but I know he was not with us and he would have known where he had sent them. So who opened the portal? Was it Oly? That would make sense. Cousin Alfonse could open portals and she should be able to do so too. And if it was her…where did she go? How are we ever to find her location even if we know she is in the World of Steel? How would we know at what point in modern history she arrived to? And even if we open the portal at the precise location who can guarantee that Oly would still be anywhere near?- Alfonse sounded more desperate with each question that came out of his mouth. Zacharias felt very bad about it and considered telling him what he had heard by mistake when he was going to the infirmary to take Bel to have breakfast. He looked back at Alfonse and saw the unshed tears and the strength he was using to not let them fall. Zacharias looked back and then around to see if no one was hearing him.

-Alfonse. I know we have met but recently; yet the circumstances of our meeting have been …special and I consider you, Sharena and Bel to be very dear to me already. I have not met much people with such good heart towards me that were not part of my family and all of this despite of the tragedies you all have lived through and your titles. You have taken me in as part of your family; so I feel that you are becoming part of mine own…indeed…at this time you are all I have in this Kingdom.- Zacharias said and he was not lying. The children and Bel had taken him in as if he had always been part of their circle or immediate family. This was something that not only moved him personally but that gave him hope for the future of both nations, but also scared him much. He felt that he needed to protect the children and teach them about the world. It was great that they were this good but it was a danger for people in their position. He had decided that these children were a light that needed to be protected for the world to be a better place and that they needed to become the regents of the land, not only for Askr but for Embla as well. So at that moment he swore to protect the children even from himself. He only lamented that his sister would not grow up with such influence and company.

-I…have never had a friend that was not someone who wanted influence or was part of the family…indeed I have never have and actual friend. Cousin Andreas was my mentor and cousin Bel is more like an older sister and mother figure and Oly- He sighs and pauses.- .…I confess I am not much for being close to people…exactly for this reason. It hurts so much when they leave you or when they disappear…but I too feel…a bond of sorts with you… as does my sister of course. I may be bold enough to say I see you as a true friend. -Alfonse said blushing because it was taking a lot for him to confess such feelings to Zacharias. Something that were it some one else he would not have voiced, but Zacharias had proven in the short amount of time to be not only a good person, but a hones one too. He had passed Alfonse’s scrutiny and he had seen the sincerity of his feelings for them. He also saw how he treated others who were considered beneath him and his kindness to them pleased Alfonse.

- Friends then?- Asks the older male and offered Alfonse a hand. Alfonse looked at it and felt something inside him that he never felt before. Trust. The trust of one friend to another. A kind of brotherhood he never thought he would feel given his title and situation. And fear. A fear that he felt was worth the risk.

-Friends.- Alfonse said taking Zacharias’ hand and smiled shyly. - And… I talk for my sister who I know quite well feels the same way I do.

Zacharias smile broadened. - In the name of this new found friendship I want to ask if you could accompany me tonight. There is much I would like to talk to you about and I need for you to listen to.- Alfonse nodded and agreed to meet later that evening after dinner. Sharena would not be able to go of course being younger and having to go rest by the healer’s advice.

[ Line break]

Zacharias’ mind kept coming back to Bel’s words as he walked along the paved garden road and he could not help but agree with them.

= We should tell Alfonse at the very least father. This is going to come bite our butt…rear in the future! Mark my words. I do not believe Hel will stay with arms crossed or that her followers were all defeated. You know it as well as I do. If they come at a point when Alfonse is in a vulnerable position it will be a disaster father!Whatever Henriette will come to talk about tonight regarding Oly should be known to him as well.== Bel had said.

-Alfonse This morning when I arrived at the infirmary to accompany cousin Bel to breakfast I noticed the maid had left the door open and…I accidentally overheard something. I am not one to overheard conversations but as I was leaving I heard cousin Bel arguing very passionately with uncle Andreas about something that may concern Oly and the others may not want you to know. I confess I was rooted to the spot and could not move for the impression of her words.

-What was it?

- I do not know and neither do they. What I heard was that tonight there will be a meeting in the small office in the Library. The one near the secret study, they found not long ago. Your parents will come to talk about something they know about, that will help the efforts to rescue Oly. Cousin Bel wants you to know but uncle Andreas said he was sure your parents would not want you to know. I may be wrong for telling you this, but I am of the same opinion as cousin Bel and think you are responsible enough to know whatever secret they have to share. I know no more but that piece of information I heard…I …could not stay and hear more as you can understand. As soon as I recovered my wits I left.

-I see. They came all the way from the capital…It must be very important. When will this take place?

-At midnight, When you and Sharena are sure to be asleep.

- We better go to bed early then.-Alfonse said and proceeded to plan their move.

[Line break]

-Alfonse…I should not be here. - Zacharias said quietly behind Alfonse who slowly walked through a darkened tunnel guided by a dim crystal lamp. Said tunnel had started in the garden and it was damp and mouldy. It branched a couple of times in different directions some downwards and some upwards. It was just big enough for three persons at start but now that the tunnel had branched upwards the walls looked dry and dusty and big enough for just one big person to fit. Zacharias had seen various places where the wall had some designs carved unto them and some of them looked like they could move but had not been used in a long time.- Where is this place? Inside the castle?- He whispered afraid of the amplified sound.

-Don’t worry. No one will hear you here.- Alfonse said.

==That is not reassuring in the least.== Thought Zacharias. Bruno as Zacharias had adopted a way of talking more informal so as to seem more like a person that had grown in the country and it made him feel more freedom to express himself.

- These tunnels run along some of the wall of the castle and were designed to be sound proof by my ancestor to be a escape route in case of invasion. Except the tunnel collapsed long ago before going far enough to be safely outside the castle. That is why we could not have used it during the Emblan attack …but mostly they have been forgotten by everyone and this makes them secure enough to navigate.

-Wait no one knows about these? How did you find them out?

-I..- Alfonse paused.- I found an old map in the secret library. The day they found us I think. As soon as I could, I came to investigate.

-By yourself? When?

-The days before and after the funeral. Everyone has been too busy to notice I was not practising violin.

-Now I understand why cousin Bel is always checking up on you…- Zacharias said between his teeth and a little grumpily. He was starting to understand why his parents may not want him to know something that may peek his curiosity. Alfonse seemed a little too adventurous for a prince. In a way almost careless. - What if you had gotten yourself lost?

-I had my map.

-What if there was another collapse?

-Unlikely. The collapsed part of the tunnel was built in a less sturdy kind of rock and probably collapsed due to corrosion of the wooden pillars or some other cause.

-But Alfonse… still! You could have run into something …dangerous like a…- Zacharias started but stopped when he heard a quiet laugh.

- You sound like cousin Bel.- Alfonse said looking back at the teen with sparking eyes.

-She is rubbing off on me is she not?- Zacharias said smiling fondly.

-She worries…but it is understandable…- Alfonse started and went quiet.- Here. We are almost there…mm…behind this panel.- He added and clicked on an ornamental carving in the middle. There was a pop and a grumble and a piece of the wall opened to reveal wooden paneling and a mechanism to open a door. On it there was a smaller one that looked like a peeping hole but big enough to put a hand through. When Alfonse opened it, they found it was blocked by a material that looked like canvas but was actually see through. - They are not here yet.

-We better keep quiet just in case they can her us now.- Said Zacharias sitting himself on the floor next to the dim lamp, while Alfonse kept watch. He took this moment to think about how he was going to tell Alfonse who he really was and what he was doing here in Askr and explain to him that his feelings for him and his sister were sincere despite the falseness of his meeting. He wanted Alfonse to know everything about him and never lie to him ever again. He felt like a hypocrite sitting here on the floor while Alfonse was confiding in him such secrets.

Zacharias was lost in thought when he heard voices coming from the other side of the wall. He reincorporated himself to stand by Alfonse who scooted away to give him room to see inside.

The first one to enter the parlour was Henriette followed by Bel and Adrien. Behind them walked Gustav. The man looked grim and pale and was holding his left side as if he was in pain but as soon as Henriette turned around he composed himself and let go of it and closed the door. When he turned around he looked stern and cold as if he had never felt pain. Zacharias saw this and noticed Alfonse had not because he was busy inspecting the canvas-like material.

The group in the parlour exchanged some pleasantries as Gustav had been busy and had not been able to meet with Bel and Adrien to discus the situation. This had angered Alfonse who thought his father was starting to act like his late grandfather and perceived Oly’s disappearance as a lesser problem. In truth Gustav was afraid to face the two. Shame was still fresh inside his heart and although he had felt the loss as much as everyone else he felt himself responsible for not being able to do much and felt he had failed his cousin once again.

-Bel. Adrien. We have called you here to offer our help. Henriette has told me Oly has been sent to The World Of Steel. Although I could never fathom the depth of your loss I want to reassure you both that I feel it as well in my heart. My dear cousin did not need to tell me to look after you for me to take a vow of responsibility and I have failed him once again.- Gustav said gravely and Alfonse’s mouth opened a little by surprise.- I am sorry.

-It wasn’t your fault Gustav. But I know how you feel. He…asked me to protect her and I could not…I was the one who failed him and the children…The only thing I have left is to search for a way to get to her…and care for the baby inside me. Father says he can’t open a portal to the world of Steel because it has never been done by anyone before.

-That is correct. No living human can open a portal to that world. It is forbidden and impossible for us who can open portals. However there is a way.- Gustav said, then added.- But I must have your word that this information will not leave this room.

-A way?- Asks Adrien with furrowed brows.

-Yes Adrien. A way not even you know about. A way that is forbidden for anyone else to use …Indeed it is forbidden under penalty of death to know about… Only the direct heir of the King and their spouse shall know along with the Guardians of the Way. The sentinels.- Gustav paused and then added.- Given the unique situation of our family and the promise I made to myself and my cousin to care for you; I will share this information. Bel you are as of now a heir to the throne via Alfonse.

-Gustav!- Henriette said and covered her mouth.

Zacharias had read the report about Bel and prince Alfonse. He knew just like Adrien and the late general that the Hel cult believed the two to be soulmates; so hearing this he understood what the King meant. He also Knew Alfonse and Bel themselves did not know this. He looked sideways at his friend and saw surprise on his face but knew it was at the title being given to her.

-And you Adrien as her father.- He added without looking at Henriette. Bel looked confused and Adrien looked angry. Zacharias knew the general knew what Gustav meant but as much as both of them hated it, they needed the help now. He also knew that the older man was just not ready to tell Bell the truth. He also knew Bel would be furious with the idea of becoming the young prince’s wife.

- I don’t understand. Is it because Alfonse and Adrian can open portals like the heirs of Líf?- Bel asked clearly confusing “Alfonse” for her husband. Gustav looked surprised at her. He looked reluctant to speak and Zacharias wondered if Gustav had planned on telling her the truth at that moment.

-Yes dear. Generations ago twins were born and both of them had the gift.- She said quickly, seeing the blessed way out. Gustav turned then to his wife, anger in his eyes, but said nothing. This proved to Zacharias that his theory was right. The King wanted Bel to know the truth but was thwarted by the Queen.

-Our family had the same right to the throne as the first born twin’s, but the the law was written so that when twins are born; the first born would be regent. To dissuade any risen conflict the second born twin acquires the title of Guardian of the Crown and thus his claim to the crown is forfeited and passed as a auxiliary regent in case of emergencies or death of the Original line. Which we are in charge of defending. This is the reason every single member of our family has had military training and is considered the Royal bodyguards. It is a great honor to us.

==So the part about the twins was truth. Seems a better system than the Emblan one.== The thought of making this into a law in the empire was but a quick passing one against all the information he was privy to.

-Oh! I see. No one better to def fend the original line than the brother bound to serve the crown by honor and family pride. That way there is no backstabbings.

- Bluntly put but correct.- Said Gustav nodding.- And now your line will be given our most guarded secret. I hope you are aware of the amount of trust we are bestowing upon you.

-I will guard the secret with my life as you well know it.

- I completely understand Gustav. Askr is my home and I love its people. I will keep the secret with my life.

Zacharias backed away from the peeping hole stunned by the sudden realization of his situation. He felt guilty about being here, privy to secrets not meant to be heard by other people. And under penalty of death. His position in the line of the Emblan throne would not help his situation but make it worse still for himself. He would be branded as a spy and taken into custody and put in jail. His sister would be left unprotected and made a puppet to the other nobles. He would loose the trust and friendship of the people that he had come to love as his family; and what was worst is that his imprisonment would be used to start the war even when the nobles hated him.

- I should not be here…- He whispered. He tried walking away but was held up by Alfonse���s hand.

-You will get lost.

-We should go Alfonse.

-Shh…They will hear us!- Alfonse said and turned back to the hole. Zacharias backed away to the edge of the light , sat down and as he was about to put his hands on his ears he heard it.

- …it is imperative Bel that the Emblan prince does not acquire this knowledge… Or Alfonse. He may be your…- Gustav paused when Henriette placed a hand on his arm.-…friend but he is too young and too adventurous to know right now. He will know when he comes of age or when the need arises to make use of it. Which I hope it’s never. - The stern voice of the now King said with an edge to it. Zacharias’ eyes widen with fear and surprise. Of course he was the least person they wanted to inform. It was obvious, but that was not what he was afraid of. He was afraid they would say who he was and he had to explain to Alfonse now that he had heard such a thing. How would he explain to Alfonse? His friend would never believe anything he said anymore and it would looked now like he had used Alfonse to get to hear this information. He knew how it looked like now. He sat on the floor as far away from the “window”as he could,waiting for Alfonse to confront him about it, while inside the room the secret he was not supposed to hear was told. He covered his ears and closed his eyes hoping for the best.

-What do you mean two portals to the World of Steel? I thought it was impossible?

-Not impossible. Forbidden. Let me explain. Back in the time of the First King Líf when our ancestor had just been crowned King by his people. Lord Askr himself walked the land and they were friends. This was the time Lord Askr himself gave his most beloved of friends the way to defend this land and the people he loved so much. He gave the now King the sacred weapon Breidablik. With the sacred weapon Lord Askr himself reached to another world and called the person who would become new guardian of the land. That person would be the only one to be able to wield the sacred weapon and call an army of heroes to defend the new kingdom. She was the first Summoner of Askr.

-Like me.

-Yes. And like you this person came from a world not tied in fate to ours. It is said that the World of Steel guards the lore and secrets of the Gods and so it is forbidden to go there. Those worlds we can open portals to are the worlds tied in fate to us. Lord Askr then opened two ways to her world so that she may come and go if she so pleased. He asked of us to guard them and to never open another portal to this world. We guard the portal we know about. The other has been lost for a long time. The new capital was build with the thought of guarding what used to be the Northern Sanctuary of the Way. The portal is next to the throne room…and not one person knows it is there.

-So that is why the capital was moved?- Asked Adrien.

-It was attacked centuries ago by Embla. They thought we guarded the sacred weapon there.

-I see…Wait…if no one of you can open the way to the World of Steel why was Deana able to open the portal there?

- According to our research. The World of Steel can only be reached by one who has already been there or by Lord Askr himself. The reason we are not permitted to go or to open portals to that world any more is of course because every portal opened is a liability to your world since we can not close them and we can not guard them all. This is the reason I have never gone, but it seems Deana went inside herself in secret. Which must have been a very difficult task given the magic and human guards in place. We are still investigating her intentions and Deana was not an adventurous woman. As my bast…-Gustav paused and closed his eyes; then proceeded.- As my half sister I suppose it was out of curiosity rather than actual malicious intent.

-I wholeheartedly agree.- Adds Henriette placing a hand gently over Gustav’s arm. Alfonse paid no attention to that part. He was too stunned to do so. Deana was his aunt and they had never told them. He thought it was so like his grandfather to hide such a thing and thank Lord Askr that he had had the chance to know her. She had always been kind and loving to them and now he knew why.

- So if father goes once, he can open portals there after, but is forbidden to do so?

- Correct. But Bel there is no need for more portals to be open either way. There is a post in the World of Steel. The Guardians of the Way take turns to live there and they report to us, but of course they do not divulge any of this information to anyone else. They will be the ones to search for Oly but you are welcome to go as well as you Adrien. Just remember. I advise that you let them search first. If they are not successful and you are safe to travel then you can join them. I tell you Bel not only because you are the mother but because unlike Adrien you are in a better position to navigate the world and their technology.- Bel nodded at this. Adrien did not like it but he agreed as well. He was not fit for that job and he was needed here in case of another attack.- I warn you. At the beginning we were told to guard the way to protect your world, of our magic, but now…

-I understand.

-So now you understand why we do not want Alfonse to know about this or for more portals leading there to be open?

-Damn Gustav! If you have heard half the stuff I know about our world you would know I never in all my life would let Alfonse step on the World of Steel! Or anyone there to know about Askr…Magic and all…You would not last long…

-So I have heard.- He nodded solemnly.

In the tunnel Alfonse was no longer listening. He backed away and looked down to Zacharias in horror. Watching his now friend sitting on the floor, eyes closed and hands on his ears Alfonse felt a wave of relief wash over him. For a moment he was afraid for him. He knew that if it was known that they had heard the conversation he would surely be in trouble but Zacharias would not run with the same luck. Alfonse carefully closed the window and then the mechanism in the wall. All along Zacharias did not move. Once Alfonse knew they were safe he approached his friend and touched his arm to get his attention hoping he did not look as scared as he felt.

Zacharias’ eyes widen in surprise at the gentle touch.He looked up at Alfonse with trepidation but did not see anger in the boy’s eyes, only fear.

-Alfonse…- He started but pause to make sure it was safe for them to talk.- I should not have been here!

-We should not have…but it is done. At least you did not hear the rest…

-Nor do I want to know.Alfonse. Look at me.- Zacharias said and took Alfonse’s shoulder in his hands to look him in the eyes.- No matter what happens to me. I swear to you no one will know what I know. I vow to you that I will not only take this information to my grave but I will do whatever I can to keep you and Sharena safe from anyone, including myself. You have my word.

-Zacharias…I…I thank you…I swear no one will know you heard it. You have my word. As long as I live you will be safe I pro..- Alfonse started but was cut short by Zacharias.

-NO.- Zacharias said firmly and sternly.- You can not promise me this Alfonse.

-But…

-I thank the sentiment, but you are now a prince. Promise me that if it comes to choosing your people, Sharena, you or I… You will choose always you and your people. Promise me.

-I…I promise you.

[Line break]

Days pass and Alfonse can see the strain Bel is in with the pregnancy, and the weight of the search she can not talk about. It breaks his heard to see her try to be as normal as she could to make their lives happy. He knew she was wearing a mask mostly around Sharena who was younger and had had resented the loss of her favorite playmate. He still had not analyze his own loss. He could not. Every time he tried to let himself mourn her loss the image of his grandfather saying he was too weak to be his heir came to his mind. But mostly he could not bear the pain he felt every time he remembered her and the thought of never seeing her again came to his mind.

Zacharias’s presence helped him a lot even when Alfonse could see the teen had burdens himself. Alfonse did not want to bother his friends with questionings as he was afraid he could lose his friendship and tried to let him come and talk to him on his own time. Still he wondered at his sadness and the way he had clung to Sharena and himself as if they had been a salvation to the older teen. He could sense the same kind of loneliness he himself had grown up with. This made him appreciate Sharena’s presence in his life even more.

Every day since Sharena could exercise they would train with Zacharias under the watchful eye of his cousin and her two retainers Aleen and Feraht. They were constantly visited by one of the guards. A man he had heard Bel call Gudrum. Lord Andreas would come often and stay a few days. Alfonse had grown to love him and rely on him as much as he had done his cousin Alfonse.

Around that time Alfonse had noted something strange with all of the people. He had ran into some of the guards and some of the servants talking in hushed voices about something they were too afraid to voice. He started paying more attention and learned it had something to do with the attack on the manor. He went to ask one of the servants once about it and the servant had blessed herself and refused to talk no matter his coaxing. By this time Bel’s pregnancy has four months along and her belly already swollen. She had made plans to ‘visit’ his parents for some days but a messenger had come for her and she had stayed. When Lord Andreas came back Alfonse was ready to investigate what was happening with the search.

He was watching Sharena train with their friend when the servant had come to tell cousin Bel her father had arrived and wanted to talk to her. Alfonse and Zacharias shared a knowing look. Zacharias sent him an almost pleading look but Alfonse just excused himself and left.

- Excuse me. I forgot I needed to practice violin today.- And he left. Zacharias watched him go with a worried expression. He did not like one bit for the child to go into the labyrinth of corridors by himself but he also could not accompany him. If something happened he did not even have a map to search for him.

Alfonse navigated the corridors as quickly as he could until he reached the one that reached his cousin’s room. This time the door to the room had no peeping hole and he had to strain his ears to hear. Knowing the door opened to the hidden walk in closet , he opened the door carefully to enter the closet. Carefully he maneuvered the parcels on the floor. They were new items his cousin had been acquiring for the baby. This door did have a keyhole but it was always left unlocked so if he wanted to open it he could. There was no need; he could listen and see perfectly.

-So there is no new clues… I am afraid for him…-Bel said with a worried expression. They had been talking about Alfonse and Sharena’s memory loss and how it would affect their safety.

-So am I daughter; but this is why we need to stand by him.- Adrien answered. Alfonse assumed they were talking about his father.

-I had news from the capitol. A letter. The lockdown is still in effect but as you know they were going to have means to access the internet. They bought one of the computers I told you about and a connection for my phone. They told me I have to stay put until they quarantine themselves for at least a moth. I can wait. I do not want the sickness to spread. The guardians do not even want to approach the gate father.

-Is it really that bad daughter?

-I do not have the whole information, but what may not be that bad there, may as well be lethal here. Last time we had a pandemic this big; around one third to one half of the population died.

- That is horrendous. I am afraid for you daughter. Do not go.

-Don’t worry I would not go if I did not think it would be safe. After the quarantine It will be safe for me to go and research from the post. I would not need to go out into the world. The actual post is a large portion of land. A closed off Hamlet of people that live without any sort of outside technology or help. But they really are just a port. The actual family owns a businesses that makes them quite wealthy and powerful in the small city they live in. They utilize their power to keep the secret of the Kingdom. They will provide the technology needed and the detectives who will look for Oly. But I need to be there since they do not want to send a technician to the actual post because of the disease. I will be able to teach the guardians how to use technologies that will help them be independent in this trying time. They could use at least my knowledge for their gain.

-I see. Then I will support you on this task. Still I urge you to be careful.

-Of course father. For me and for Askr.

[Line break ]

Alfonse kept watch of the situation and said nothing to anyone. Zacharias had asked him not to share any of the information. Alfonse needed his point of view but understood that Zacharias would be in more trouble if he shared details even if he did not share the important parts. So he watched alone with a knot in his stomach every time he thought Bel would leave. And leave she did. When she has around five months pregnant she departed for the capitol for “some days” to be checked out by the royal healers. Or at least that was what she had been told to say to them. Alfonse saw the pain it caused her to eave them but he knew the pain she was in without her child. Oly was dear to him and so he understood and wished her luck from afar.

The days turned into months. They were told there were complications with her pregnancy and that was the reason she had not come back.During this time Zacharias became their most trusted and beloved friend. Sharena learned fast her lancing lessons and Alfonse was happy to see how strong she was becoming. Zacharias was a great teacher and would help him with his own sword training. Bel came back after some time and Zacharias offered to teach her how to use a grimoire which she agreed to. By now she was almost eight months along.

Alfonse still remember the conversations he had heard when she had come back. As usual he had snuck into her closet to listen to the update.

-…and it took some time because the government offices are mostly closed; but we found the car the plaques belong to and the country it was located. From then on it was more difficult. The difference in language took us time. It was a different country and laws so searching for news became a slow process. I made friends from afar with the detective in charge of the case and we are paying him to search for Oly, but without giving him all the details of course. I am sure he will find her eventually.

-That is good news daughter. How is the situation with the pandemic?

-Not good father. There are so many people in the hospitals that I pray I will not need a surgery for the birth.- Bel’s words became gloomy and Alfonse worried about what this disease may do to Oly herself. If it was that bad would Oly be strong enough to survive it? He did not need to voice his worry.

-Daughter…would Oly be strong enough…

-He has your blood father. She is strong enough. Besides this disease seems to be worse on older people and people that are already sick. I am worried of course but…I am sure things will be alright.

[line break]

The news Bel had brought had given Alfonse hope and she even looked happier. They made good of the time before the birth of the new baby. Sharena had wanted to help Bel knit the baby a blanket and her enthusiasm had driven the other two to try the task themselves. Alfonse saw with pride that he had done the best effort of the three.

- I suppose the violin practices helped me with the finger dexterity. - Commented Alfonse looking at the square of yarn he had knitted. He scowls when he hears his friend Zacharias scoff.

-Those violin practices have helped you a lot in many ways friend.- The older teen says smiling at his younger friend. Alfonse takes the hint and blushes a little. After all he regularly disappeared to “practice violin” to hear any news on Oly.

- I wish they would help him put away his dirty socks.- Pipes in Sharena pinching her nose and laughing. Alfonse turned beet red.

-It was one time and it was because I was in a hurry…- Says Alfonse pouting. Zacharias laughs loudly.

-Aww don’t bully my baby boy. He is a very tidy guy. Right Ponchito?- Says Bel trying to pinch his check and failing because he moved away just in time and she was to big to lean closer t him. Alfonse “hated” being called Baby Boy by her and having his cheeks inched even more.- You did do a great work Alfonse. If you make it bigger I will add it to the blanket.- She winks at his blush.

- If I make it better Will you add mine as well cousin?- Ask Sharena whose work resembled a spider web.

- Of course. And yours too Zach!- Zacharias work was better but he had missed a couple of stitches and had four holes in it.- Come on we better get to work. This child wants to get out soon. -Bel helped Sharena with her work and at the end she did added the three parts to her blanket.

Days later she went into labor.

-Are you sure she is alright?- Asked Zacharias. He was not much for understanding how childbirth worked outside of books and he thought that since it was a painful endeavor Bel would be practically screaming. Instead he only heard whimpers. His heart constricted when they heard her call out to her husband once. Alfonse looked very worried too.

- The healers and midwife are doing their best. I am sure she will be alright.- Said Adrien but his face was grave and his eyes red. They were in the parlour adjacent to Bel’s bedroom around the fireplace where a table with now cold tea was served of the finest china. Zacharias was sitting on a love sit with Sharena by his side while Alfonse and Adrien sat on separate chairs. Aleen and Feraht were standing by the window by themselves since Bertha and Gertrude were assisting the healers.. The door opened an a healer came out. All of them turned to her.

- She is doing fine.- The healer said to the worried people.- It is unusual for us to request this but the Lady has asked for her father to be present….she needs the emotional support. I agree with her sentiment.

-Of course! I will gladly enter.- Adrien says and his face betrays the torrent of emotions he was feeling. He takes a deeper breath and follows the healer.

-Can I come too?- They hear. It was Alfonse with a determined face. Adrien looks at him with an unreadable expression on his face.

-Let him in. I will watch Sharena.- Comments Zacharias and his gaze reflects his emotions on the matter. Adrien nods at last and both of them disappear inside the room. Zacharias was ready to suggest Alfonse to go practice violin if the man had not agreed.

Inside Bel was counting her breathing. Her face lit up when she saw the two of them come in. The healers told the both of them to stay at each side of the “birthing chair” the way Bel suggested. Alfonse was fascinated by the “chair ” it was a new design Bel and her midwife had perfected when Oly was about to be born. The chair was leaning enough to support her weight but straight enough to be almost standing to let gravity do her job. There were legs and arms supports and handles for her to grab each time she had to push. There were also levers on the side to lean it back the same way the gynecologist chairs worked for the midwives and healers to check the patients.

Bel was bleeding too much in Alfonse opinion. He also saw concern on the midwife’s brow. His uncle looked white as a sheet and he knew he looked the same. In fact he felt like he was about to faint at some moments and found that Bel would take moments between contraptions to take his hand and reassure him. This realization shamed him and he then remember that Bel had said that during labor she had to remember to breath correctly and had told them how it was done. So he started to count between contraptions and help her breathe right. After this Bel even smiled between contractions.

The boy was born and shown to Bel, then it was taken to be cleaned. The baby kept crying during all the ordeal, while Bel was checked up. This was their cue to leave.

-She was bleeding quite a lot.-Says Alfonse quietly to Adrien. Sharena is now fast asleep on the love-sit. Zacharias had been pacing around the room but stopped when he heard the baby cry.- Is it normal?

- No…- The man looked about to crumble. In that moment he looked not like the great Lord Alfonse had always known and Alfonse imagine he had been once when his own wife had died at childbirth. He was about to say something else when the midwife came out again.

-Is she alright?-

-Although we were able to stop the bleeding, she is still very weak. We are keeping her awake…She bled too much. Much more than it was expected.

-Does she need a blood transfusion?- Asks the Lord. Blood transfusions were not unknown in Askr but were rarely used and only on very carefully monitored conditions, since blood types were still not completely understood. On this occasion it was an easier and safer option since the royal bloodline was known to have the same type of blood. What Bel came to understand as O-. It was her same blood type.

-We can use the blood replenishing potions but it is my opinion that she will recover faster with a blood transfusion.

-I can be a donor too. - Says Alfonse standing strait.

-I do not think it wise, to donate at your age Alfonse. Let me do it. I share the same kid of blood.- Says Adrien.

- I promised Oly I would protect her mother and I will. Donating a liter of blood will not harm me. I will donate.- Says Alfonse respectfully still but firmly.

-You are certainly the right weight if I remember correctly.- Says the healer looking Alfonse from head to toe. Then she turned to Adrien.- Worry not. I do not require so much blood and with the both of you as donors it will be easier for the both of you. Adrien nodded and they both left.

As the process was done Adrien could not help but analyze the interaction between Bel and Alfonse. They were close and after this he felt they would grow closer still. Yet he could find nothing but the interaction he had always seen. That of an older sister to a younger sibling or even a maternal one to her child. The same way he had always know Bel felt. At this he felt like a great weight lift from his shoulders, but at the same time it saddened him. What would happen once Alfonse came of age and his parents told them the truth?

The man stopped his musings to listen to his daughter sing a song he had often heard her sing to his son.

- All I ever needed was the one. Like freedom fields where wild horses run. Where stars collide, like you and I. No shadows block the sun… You’re I ever needed, baby you’re the one.- She sand and the man saw she was trying not to cry. At the end of the song Alfonse looked at her and said he had liked that song a lot.

-Remember it well then. Some day you will meet that one heart that will be your one. You may want to sing it to her.

-I…I don’t think I…who is that Cain the song talks about?- He asks avoiding the topic. Bel smiles.

-That is a tale for another day…

[Line break]

- What do you mean you are taking Adri with you?- Asked Zacharias. Bel sat down next to him. The child in her bosom was sitting comfortably on a baby carrier she had used on Oly as well. It had been around seven months since she had given birth to little Adrien. Zacharias was the first to call him Adri and he had become very dear to the 15 year old.

-Don’t worry. We will be back before your birthday.

-That is still months away.- Says Alfonse furrowing his brows. He had to feign surprise at her news. He of course had listened to her talking to uncle Adrien about the new development on the search for Oly. She was going in case the lead proved true and they find the missing girl. Alfonse was ecstatic but he also did not want her to go. Yes he had a mother, but Bel was the closest he had ever felt as one in normal life sense of the word. She was his older sister and confidant. Even after the birth of little Adrien, her treatment and their relationship had not changed.

-I said before his birthday Ponchito.

-I don’t want you to go.- Says Sharena and she pouts.

-Honey. I will be back. I promise you guys. Come here my little chipmunk. Don’t give me that face. Look…I need to go because it is very important. I do not know how to tell you this…but I swear I would not go if it was not important. Someone has news of Oly and …

-Oly? Is she alright? Is she coming back?- Sharena asked eagerly. Sharena did not know Oly had been sent to the World of Steel of course so she thought she was somewhere in Askr but lost. She often feared Deana had kidnapped her . Once she had voiced this to Alfonse and he had said to her that Deana had always been a good person to them and did not believe her to have done something so awful. Sharena of course never took into account why Deana had been able to open a portal as she was not old enough to know or understand.

-We don’t know yet honey. The people searching for her just have a lead. It means they think someone has seen her and we need to go and see if it is her or not.

-Oh…I miss her.

-So do I honey…

[Line break]

-What do you mean they disappeared?

-I am so sorry Adrien. We have no idea what happened. They are going to inform the authorities. They let us know as soon as they discovered the two were not in their room and searched the whole property.- Alfonse heard his uncle’s strangled cry. He himself was shocked to the spot. He looked on as his mother was trying hard not to succumb to tears as well. She had come from the capital mere hours ago. As soon as he had heard she was back he knew she had come to talk to uncle Adrien so he readied himself to listen to their conversation as soon as his uncle came back from the fields where he was overseeing a military operation. Zacharias had helped him distract Sharena and their instructor so he would go investigate.

-Were they taken?

-The room was locked from the inside and no one was seen on the property. It’s like they just banished…I…

That was all Alfonse was able to hear. He sat down on the dusty floor. He did not even register the cold of it’s stone surface. He buried his face in his hands and felt himself tremble with the force of holding back the sobs that were threatening to come out.

==They will come back…She promised…She can’t leave us alone…She will come back…I will look for them and I will find them…==

-I do not know how we are going to tell the children…How am I going to tell Alfonse…- He heard Henriette say among her tears.

At that moment Alfonse decided it was time to grow up and return to the capital to train. It was time he took responsibility as the prince that he was. Perhaps then he would be able to hear something about them and in time demand to be sent to find them.

[ Line break]

Years later he heard about the renovation of the castle in the northern city and the Order of Heroes. The Emblan empire had finally declared open war against Askr and the Royal Army needed the extra help.

He had not had any leads about his cousins and he had lost hope so he talked to Zacharias about joining the Order and to his surprise Zacharias had agreed. Even Sharena had agreed to join. Their father of course had objected but being as Gustav had almost entirely divorced himself from his kids Alfonse decided to discard his order and join. At this show of blatant disobedience Gustav was in the verge of disowning Alfonse. If it wasn’t for Henriette’s and Adrien’s pleas for Gustav to think better of the situation it would have come to pass. Gustav then let Alfonse go but retreated his society and asked to not be called father by the teen.

Alfonse had no problem with this after Gustav’s blatant abandonment.

Then Zacharias was lost in one of the Order’s missions and was never found again. His heart broke in what he felt was an unfixable million pieces. He decided loving people was too painful and they always left him. He had only Sharena in his life and he was going to make sure she was safe. He did not need anyone in his heart and no one else would get close to him and hurt him anymore.

[Line break]

-Brother!! Commander Anna has gone to perform the ritual!

-What? Alone?- Alfonse said visibly annoyed. He had jus arrived from a mission to find this problem and a problem he was sure this would turn into.

-She took a small platoon but you know Embla may attack any time.Alfonse you have to go! Take the squad I will get there later when the men get ready in case you have trouble. I hope I can get to see the summoning.- She said excitedly.

-I will. The Commander should have waited for our return. - Alfonse sighted as he took his sword and shield that he had just discarded again and left his room.- Be careful Sharena.- He said to his sister and left. What if the Summoner turned out to be his cousin? After all she had been summoned before. He did not dare hope but he still felt elated.

Alfonse ran as fast as he could as soon as he heard the tale tell sounds of a skirmish ahead. His people following close behind.

-Lord Takumi! Behind you!-He heard the Commander shout.-The Summoner! Protect the Summoner!

Alfonse arrived in time to see the Commander’s men trying and failing to keep Emblan soldiers away from two figures that were surrounded by enemies. One of them was a lean man with long silver hair who very efficiently felled soldier by soldier that got close enough to try to take them on. The other was a figure clad in a what looked to be a white coat that went in tune with the Order’s uniform. He ran towards them and ordered his men to follow. He saw in slow motion as one of the enemy soldiers got past the archer’s guard and tried to strike the smaller figure. Surprised by the unseen attack the figure tried to get out of the way and use the weapon on their hands at the same time, which caused them to fall backwards. He was all this while fighting his way into the circle the two figures were standing in.

When the enemy struck again Alfonse was there to block the blow and parry of the attacker. He made quick work of the soldier and seeing as his men were blocking the rest of the attackers off he turned to the fallen figure of who he now understood to be their new Summoner.

The person looked disoriented by the fall but more than than that he paid no attention tho them. He offered his hand in help and the other took it and stood up. Alfonse made sure they stayed between who he supposed was Lord Takumi and himself as protection.

-Grazie! Questa cosa può sparare come una pistola vera?- He heard a voice say behind him. It was a sweet melodious voice that took him by surprise. He could hardly understand what they meant but it sounded a bit like the ancient tongue to him. He looked back and was met with a beautiful mouth set in a very determined look. - I mean. Do this gun shoot like a normal gun?

-It should.- He said a little at a loss for words. As soon as he said this the girl with the oversized hood started to shoot at the soldiers carefully avoiding the Askran men.

[Line break]

- I am prince Alfonse of Askr. It is a honor to finally meet the Hero of legends and you Prince Takumi of Hoshido. I thank you for your agreeing to help us in our hour of need.- Alfonse said to the two people he stood next to. He had remembered reading about the prince of Hoshido not long ago, but the other person was still a mystery to him. He could not even see her face from the hood of the Summoner coat she was wearing. Now that he was able to see her he saw the coat was indeed too big for her lithe body and short stature. The Commander had ordered it made in a big size thinking the great hero was a big man.

- The honor is mine. I will do my best to help your kingdom. Upon my honor I swear this.- Prince Takumi answered shaking Alfonse’s hand. He then looked down to the Summoner who expended her hand in to take Alfonse’s own. The hand was small and delicate as dark in color as Zacharias’ and as soft as and warm as the memory of Sharena’s before she took up her lance lessons.

-Mmm I will do my best to protect your people Prince Alfonse of Askr. My name is Emma.

Notes:

I always wondered about how life in Askr was with Zacharias and how they met. After all Bruno was already a teen when he arrived as he left a girlfriend behind. I am sure Alfonse and Sharena looked up to him but Especially Alfonse since they are both males and Alfonse got to feel like he did not have to be the protector to Sharena as much and feel like he was protected in a way. No wonder the loss of Zacharias hurt him so much. He was the older brother he never had. It seemed to me that the empress of Embla has had more than one husband by what they say about her and Veronica's was the latest she had since there has been no talk about a new emperor.

[bookloure]

Books finished in May| May has been a good month, but I'm also ripe for another social media break! When I took a month break last March, I decided I will do it periodically—quarterly, in fact. So I'll be gone again for a bit in June, from the third week (because I still have a book to review) up to the second week of July. Sana afford ko mag sabbatical chz.

Now let's talk about books—the highlight is I discovered that I loooove body horror because of a random eARC I got. The cheka part is that I gave my first 1star of the year. Anyway, here are the 10 books I finished this month, ranked:

4.5⭐

📱 Kindred by Octavia E. Butler - It has been forever since I stayed up late because I can't put a book down. This totally did it. Of course I felt shit the next day, but damn it's so worth it!

4⭐

📖 It's A Mens World by Bebang Siy - It's a collection of the author's personal stories chronicling her girlhood in Manila. Funny, relatable and quite charming, but also dark in places.

📱 Welcome To Your Body: Lessons in Evisceration, edited by Ryan Marie Ketterer - Before this book I already had an inkling that I like body horror—Grease by Junji Ito and Earthlings by Sayaka Murata are two of my favorites, but this book gave me different flavors of body horror and I enjoyed sampling every story. Of course, I like some stories more than the others, but as a collection I honestly will give this 5 stars. It reminded me of Deesha Philyaw's "The Secret Lives of Church Ladies" in the sense that it feels very much like a cohesive collection. Top tier!

📖 Tao Sa Prowa: Mga Tala, Mga Taon by Allan Popa - Another stunning collection. It's a series of seemingly random vignettes on different aspects and phases of life, that is, until I came to the titular piece—then it morphed into a rounded collection. And the theme is revealed. I would say it's similar to Saglit: Mga Ala-ala't Muni by Rofel Brion, but (10x) better.

📱 Frieren: Beyond the Journey's End Volumes 7&8 by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe - I adore this series so much!!! It's starts in the end and shows the reader how we carry the people we meet to the future even though our time together is over. I tear up a lot reading this manga lol.

📖 Asintada: Mga Tula by Lilia Quindoza Santiago - Simple. Pero pag tinamaan ka bubukol for sure.

3⭐

📱 Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein - Minsan trip ko lang bumasa ng children's book. Solid naman ito hehe.

📱 Sheets by Brenna Thummler - Loved the art style, the story, not so much.

1.5⭐

📱 🎧 Bel Canto by Ann Patchett - So disappointed with this because it's a highly anticipated read. I guess I'll just put my Goodreads review here: The writing is gorgeous because it's Ann Patchett, but I did not connect with this for some reason, so I was already planning to give it 3 stars... but then I found out what Peruvian historical event this book takes inspiration from and it just left a bad taste in my mouth the erasure and co-opting of POC stories and histories. I wouldn't have learned about the Lima Hostage Crisis if not for other Goodreads reviews. You'd hope that the telling of these stories would help shed light, but the author swept the Peruvians under the rug instead. In their own story. Very British Museum behavior.

And that's a wrap! 🌯 I already cried to LOTR: The Return of the King, so June is already going so well lol.

[hourcat]

16, 17 & 22 if you please ❣️

OOO bel these are such good questions!!!! thank u my darling <3

16. At what point in the process do you come up with titles?

gdjskgldsmlgkdsg i'm such a bad author. 99% of the time it is at the very end of writing it, and it's me going through every song ive listened to in the last week for a lyric. every once in a while tho, i'll be skeleton drafting and be STRUCK with inspiration mid-bullet point and change the doc title and whatnot. (i.e. jersey boy blues, desperado)

17. What’s something you’ve learned about while doing research for a fic?

me being a bad author again: i SELDOM do research for the things i write. it's terrible but i end up lingering in the characters more than the context by the end so it doesn't feel too blasphemous imo.

that being said. it's not technically research, BUT i did spend several hours in google maps while writing overtime when they were driving to practice staying awake for extended periods of time in the car. i clicked through the french countryside a LOT trying to figure out traffic patterns and logistics before realizing it would just be easier if pierre fell asleep.

22. Do you know how your fic will end before you start writing?

i used to fly by the seat of my pants and just write on a whim....now generally i have to at LEAST bracket-note all my fics so i can keep them on-track. these days, yeah, i do know how my fics will end most of the time--unless something crazy happens during the writing process that totally 180s my idea.