#But I’m just imagining what he could’ve said about martha

[cactiaintracist]

okay what if Martha and Rose were also mentioned in the play?

we roughly know how Rose’s mention would go but the Toymaker would just get to Martha and be like …????

“Oh seems like that one got away”

okay just comment or reblog what the toymaker would’ve said because I can’t think of anything actually good (and also im curious)

[claudesaulniers]

hiii, can i get an imagine of naib having a crush on the reader, and the other survivors knowing this do stuff to make him jealous just to get reactions out of him? >w< maybe he gets fed up n confesses to them!

a/n: PLZ THIS PROMPT IS SO CUTE!! i love it sm i’m gonna have a blast writing this one

Something weird was going on in the manor. Something weird had been going on for a while, actually— It just took you a while to properly notice.

It had started when Emma asked you to help her out in her garden one day. When you were done, she thanked you and kissed you on the cheek.

At the time, you thought nothing of it— Emma was naturally pretty affectionate with all her friends. However, as time went on, you realized that /everyone/ was acting just a bit more affectionate towards you than usual.

Kevin fell asleep with his head resting on your shoulder one night after dinner, and just a few hours later, you got a sudden hug from Tracy with no explanation. The next day, you received a few head pats from José, and another kiss on the cheek from Emma.

After a few weeks of this, you started to realize that was something was /definitely/ up.

The breaking point was when Aesop gave you a half-hearted hug— Since when did Aesop touch anyone? You shot him a suspicious glance as he left the room, followed by an annoyed Naib, and—

Hey, what was up with Naib? Now that you thought about it, he /had/ been acting strange the past few weeks. He seemed to be avoiding you, and before you could ever approach him about it, it seemed like he was always storming out of the room in annoyance for some reason or other. At first, you’d chalked it down to just typical Naib behavior, but with the way everyone else was acting lately— Something had to be going on.

“Is something up with Naib?” you asked Emily, who was also staring at Naib with vague concern in her eyes. She turned to you and shrugged.

“Who knows with that kid...” Emily sighed, waving her hand dismissively. “He’s probably just having a rough week. Why don’t you try asking him?”

“Me?”

“Well, he doesn’t ever talk to anyone else.” Emily shrugged.

You supposed that was true. Naib didn’t mind bickering with Norton, or having small talk with Eli, or talking strategy with Martha— But he’d never really opened up with anyone but you.

��I’ll— I’ll go ask him, then,” you said after a moment of contemplating. “See you later, Em.”

With that, you left the room, following after Naib. It didn’t take long to find him; He usually kept to himself and hid away in the library, passing the time by finding random novels to read. He was somewhat predictable in that sense.

When you entered the library, Naib was already there, half reading a book and half fidgeting. His expression clearly betrayed annoyance. You sighed.

“What’s up with you lately?” you asked bluntly. Naib stared up at you blankly, narrowing his eyes at you after a long moment.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because you’re acting like a moody teenager.”

“I’m not acting like— What’s it matter to you anyways?” Naib’s glare hardened, and you let out a huff of exasperation before sitting down on the floor beside him.

“You’re my friend. I wanna make sure you’re okay.”

Naib shot you an unreadable expression, something between confusion and frustration. You bopped him playfully on the head.

“C’mon, just tell me what’s up.” Before you could pull your hand away, Naib suddenly grabbed your wrist. He looked equally as surprised by his own action as you did, his eyes widening for a moment before he immediately let go.

“It’s— It’s nothing. Something’s just bugging me.”

“Uh-huh,” you replied, smiling softly. You reached out and grabbed his hand, intertwining your fingers. “And that something is...?”

Naib looked away, the tips of ears turning a deep red. He squeezed your hand in embarrassment.

“It’s just— God. Fine.” He sighed, running his free hand through his hair stressfully. “I accidentally told Norton that I— I /like/ you. And he blabbed about to everyone, because he’s Norton. And they all started trying to make me tell you, but I didn’t want to, so they kept trying to annoy me into doing it by being all sweet to you to make me jealous or whatever.”

You blinked in mild surprise. You had known something was up, but you didn’t realize it had all been planned like that.

“For the record,” Naib added, “I wasn’t really jealous. They’re your friends; I don’t care if they hug you or hold your hand or whatever. That’s— That’s just what friends do sometimes. I was just annoyed that they were doing it on /purpose/ to annoy me.”

After a long moment of silence, you began laughing. Naib shot you a look of confusion, but you simply continued giggling.

“You mean to tell me this whole thing could’ve been avoided if you had just /told me/?” You used your free hand to gently bop Naib on the head again. “I was worried about you, idiot. I thought something was wrong.”

“Well—!” Naib tried to come up with some sort of excuse, but clearly was coming up empty. You shook your head, another fit of giggles leaving your mouth.

“You’re an idiot.” You leaned down to press a kiss on the back of Naib’s hand. “But for the record, I like you too.”

[cblgblog]

First off, I did enjoy Superman and Lois overall. Said enjoyment was significantly diminished knowing that they put more effort into 15 eps of this than they have into the whole of the Arrowverse the last few years, but whatever, everyone knows that.

A thing I didn’t enjoy, despite being 95% sure they’d do just what they did with it, was Jordan’s social anxiety. You know, the disorder that most people spend a lifetime having to manage, but in Jordan only popped up a few times, when the plot liked it?

Maybe the powers affected his brain, fixed some of the imbalances there. Fine, okay. But if that’s all they were going to do with it, why bother?

Social anxiety can make you hyper aware of other people’s perceptions of you. You get oversensitized, you think that you’re coming off weird even if you aren’t, you assume people are judging you, most of the time harshly. You can leave even the most minor of social interactions replaying it in your head, thinking of all the ways you screwed up, and how that person is gonna go home now and tell everyone they know what a spaz you are. That’s a thing that can happen with capital S Social Anxiety Disorder.

Imagine then, being in a high school setting, where people really are judging you all the time, because that’s high school. Imagine being there and having the power to hear what everyone in the building was saying. Imagine having an awkward encounter--because that’s what kids do and also the powers puberty doesn’t help--and actually being able to confirm that you’re being judged for it, actually hearing everything being said about you, being able to track it in real time as it spread through the school.

I don’t care that texting is ubiquitous now, you’d still pick up a lot of messed up stuff.

I’m not saying they didn’t use Jordan’s hearing in cool ways, because they did. I’m just annoyed that they did all the world saving, Dad saving stuff, but none of the smaller scale but still prevalent stuff you’d get as a teenager with an anxiety disorder who’s not just speculating anymore, he can confirm his own fears now.

Martha and Clark had an exchange in season 1 of Smallville--yes I’m old--where his vision has kicked into a new gear and he asks her this after finding out that this vision thing has some drawbacks.

“Mom, what would you do if you could see everything?”

“I’d learn to close my eyes.”

She was not being an asshole here, not being sarcastic, it was a legit answer.

Again, just, the headphones make sense, they did cool stuff with the hearing, but they gave the kid an actual mental disorder, for a few episodes then yeah, guess the powers and the football fixed it. Which is what I expected from them, but I also expected the show to be worse overall, so it would’ve been nice to be wrong here.

Instead of needlessly giving him this and then moving on, they could’ve told an actually interesting story where yeah, powers can be cool sometimes, you might be able to bounce bullets off your chest someday, but for now, and maybe forever, you still have to deal with this. And those powers? That might make doing so even harder, but we’re gonna be okay, we’re gonna figure out how to manage and cope, because not everything can be cured away, even by superpowers.

But they didn’t do that, so here I rant.

[lost-in-the-80s]

You Don’t Want My Love - Chapter 5

Pairing: Duff McKagan x reader

Words: 3,115k

Summary: Guns n Roses hires a new tour assistant, but nobody thought that Duff would fall for her.

In this Chapter: Y/N is back on the road with Guns n Roses. Will things with Duff remain awkward?

A/N: Hello, my friends! This chapter is very cute. I have a little spoiler about the next chapter: It’s going to be Duff's pov.  Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy it!

Tag list: @roger-taylors-car @ladieswttda @teasid @metalheartofgold  @slashscowboyboots @ginny-rose-sixx @rumoured-whispers @vinylvintage​ add yourself to my tag list :)

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

It was a bright sunny day in Los Angeles when Y/N got inside a taxi to go back on tour with Guns n Roses.

The so-called one-month pause became two as soon as Nikki Sixx, the bassist of Mötley Crüe, overdosed and the whole band had to go to rehab, leaving Guns hanging without a band to open for.

She still remembered when Tom called her telling her that they had lost the contract and that the band was feeling very down. However, Aerosmith showed up with a golden opportunity, they wanted Guns to open for them on the European leg of the tour. 

So here she was, on her way to the airport to meet with five crazy rockers who, as much as she disliked to admit, she had missed a lot.

These two months out of the road were great for her. She spent the holidays with her family in North Dakota and visited her friends in L. A and finally helped Rose with a part of the rent for the apartment.

She also enjoyed her time doing one of the things she loved the most: go to the beach and get a good old suntan. That was the best part about living in L.A in her opinion, the whole year felt like summer, completely different from the snowy and cold winter in North Dakota.

One week before going back on tour she attended an appointment at her favorite hairstylist, renovating its locks that were now quite long. Giving herself a spa day before going back to the bus’ couch, as Tom would go with them on tour again.

These two months also allowed her to think a lot about Duff. In the first days she was feeling blue, the way he spoke to her during that afternoon and how he didn’t talk to her after that hurt. He even switched places with Steven on the plane back to L.A, just so he didn’t need to sit beside her.

During December she questioned herself about what had she done that could’ve let him so angry at her, but after spending two weeks away from Los Angeles, she got to focus on other things, and following her mom’s advice she decided to give time to time and see how things would.

Izzy helped her with that process too, they crossed paths one day at a park, she went there with her friend’s nephew as she was babysitting and he was skating there. The two of them talked for a few hours and he told her that Duff was just in a bad week, that she shouldn’t take it personally, which made her lose that guilty feeling she was having.

Guilty and Sad, that’s how she was feeling in the beginning. But now she had convinced herself that whatever she had felt for Duff was over. She told herself plenty of times she just felt like that because she was feeling lonely and he had been nice to her.

So now, arriving at the airport, she was 100% sure that she’d look at Duff and her heart wouldn’t skip a bit. They’d talk and she wouldn’t stutter or blush and things would go as they were meant to be.

Walking through the crowd of people inside the airport she finally spotted a tall fuzzy blonde head. Duff. They were just a few meters away from her, making a smile appear on her face.

“Y/N!” Steven shouted waving, not sure if she had seen them.

She raised her hand waving back at him.

“Hello, fellas.” She placed her bags on the ground stopping in front of them.

“Wow, look at you, all tanned!” Slash exclaimed, opening his arms and walking towards the girl to get a hug.

“You know, every time I was about to put a shirt on, I listened to your voice saying that they were the biggest expression of my bad taste.” He said when they let go of each other, smiling at her.

“So you stopped wearing them?” She tilted her head while smiling.

“Nope.” He turned around showing the back of this t-shirt, where “Fuck off I’m out” could be read.

She shook her head, giggling a little.

“I want a hug too!” Steven popped up beside her, involving her in a bear hug, lifting off the ground. “I missed you!”

“I missed you too, Stevie.” She giggled.

“Do you want a hug too?” She looked at Izzy, smirking.

“No.” He said and the two of them laughed. 

“Well, I want one.” Duff showed up in front of her, opening his arms.

She hesitated for a second, but moved forward and wrapped her arms around his body. 

When he involved her, a certain electricity ran through her body and she wanted to never let go of him. He smelled of cigarettes and cologne though she could smell a small hint of vodka, as if it had stayed in his jacket after he washed it. 

He lowered his head to hers and said close to her left ear. “I’m sorry for being an asshole with you.” His voice was low, as if he was sharing a secret that only she could know about.

The sound caused goosebumps on her body, as she answered in almost a whisper. “It’s okay.”

They let go of each other and suddenly she realized that they had been hugging each other for quite a while, since Tom had arrived and they didn’t even notice.

Duff moved away rubbing the back of his neck, starting some conversation with Slash.

“Hey, Tom! How were your holidays?” She gave him a quick embrace before stopping beside Steven, who hugged her from beside and rested his face on her shoulder.

“It was good, I was missing the kids already.” He smiled tenderly.

“You have kids? I didn’t know that.” She moved one arm away from Steven's grip so she could hug him back.

She looked down and thought that he looked just like a child when they’re bored and start to get sleepy.

“Yes, I do. Here,” He took his wallet out of the blazer’s pocket, showing her some small pictures he had in it. “this is Jenna, she’s 10,” He pointed to a ginger girl with lots of freckles. “and this is Brian, he’s 6.” He showed a boy wearing a baseball hat.

“They’re adorable, Tom! I can’t even imagine how hard it must be for you to be away from them all the time.” Y/N smiled at him seeing that he truly loved the kids.

“Yeah, it’s difficult, but it’s a part of the job. It’s thanks to my absence that they’ll be able to go to college.” He put his wallet back in the pocket and adjusted his glasses.

“You’re a good father, Tom.”

He grinned at her words.

“You really are. Can I meet the kids someday?” Steven asked, lifting his head off of her shoulder. 

“When the tour is over, let’s have dinner together. I’ll take them and Martha along.” He grabbed his bags from the ground.

“Sure! That’d be cool.” Steven smiled, letting go of Y/N.

“Anyway. Where’s Axl? We need to be on the plane line in 15 minutes.”

“He’s late.” Izzy showed up lighting up a cigarette.

“Not so late,” Duff said, pointing towards the other side of the airport. 

Y/N looked and at first, she couldn’t see anything, but then some ginger locks in a flannel shirt showed up. 

“You’re late.” Tom said, starting to walk towards the line. 

“Sorry, Erin was keeping me busy… if you know what I mean.” He smirked.

“Jesus.” Y/N made a disgusted face while following Tom.

Inside the plane, she found herself in a seat between Steven and Slash. Duff, Izzy and Axl on the other side of the corridor while Tom was sitting one line ahead, beside an old lady.

“Oh man, I wish I could bring Ana with me.” Slash complained.

“Who’s Ana?” Y/N asked smirking.

“My python. I bought her last month.” He smiled turning towards her.

“You mean a snake?” She widened her eyes. 

He nodded.

“You have a snake as a pet?” She shivered under the thought, she was terrified of snakes.

“Yes, they are lovely creatures.”

“I’m scared to death of them.”

“No way! But they’re nice!” He turned his body towards her a little, ready to start an argumentation.

“I grew up on a farm, Slash. One of them passed right in front of my feet when we were plowing the land.”

“Did it bite you?” He moved his hair away from his face, lifting an eyebrow at her.

“Well...no.”

“Then why are you scared? They aren’t violent animals. They just attack if you scare them. Dogs kill more people per year than snakes.” 

She paused for a second. “Yeah, you’re right. But still, I don’t think I’ll ever visit your house now.”

He giggled. “Do you have any pets?”

“We always had lots of dogs. They’re easy to train and help you with some chores.” He nodded at her. “I have a cat. Though I don’t know if I could call him mine yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“I left him in ND when I moved to L.A. I just see him when I visit my parents now.”

“What’s his name?”

“Thomas.”

Slash laughed. 

“What?”

“Thomas, you know?” He laughed harder.

Y/N frowned at him, not understanding.

Then Slash pointed to the seat in front of him, where Tom was sitting. 

She looked at Tom, then at Slash, then at Tom again and finally understood. Her cat had the same name as Tom. 

Y/N laughed, she had never stopped to realize that until now.

Out in the distance, she didn’t see Duff looking at her and smiling when she laughed. 

----

Arriving in London, they followed up with their normal activities. Did the soundcheck, had an interview and went backstage to get ready.

“Do you think I should tease my hair?” Axl asked Izzy who simply shook his head as a response.

“God, I’m nervous,” Duff said walking back and forth inside the room. “I need more vodka.”

“No more drinking, you need to calm down.” Y/N pointed at him, then pointing to a black couch at the end of the room, meaning that he should sit down.

“That’s why I need vodka, love.” He walked past her, going after more booze.

The nickname made her cheeks burn and she tried her best not to smile.

“Fuck, I’m nervous too.” Slash said.

“Why are you guys so nervous? You’ve done lots of gigs like this before.” She asked, frowning.

“No, we haven’t, Y/N,” Izzy said, sitting on the couch while looking for his cigarettes. “We’re in another country, a whole different crowd.”

“It’s our first time outside from home.” Duff said, reappearing in the room and sitting beside Izzy.

“Plus, It’s Aerosmith, fuck! We can’t fuck this up.” Steven added, while trying to choose a t-shirt. “Y/N. The black or the white one?” He showed her the two blouses.

“The black one.” She pointed with her pen. “You guys just need to breathe, everything will go fine. I’m sure about it.” She smiled at them, trying to calm their nerves. 

“Shit, I think I’m gonna freak out.” Duff exclaimed, drinking almost half the bottle down. 

“Not now. I need you good okay?” Axl crouched in front of him. “Just take long breaths, it’s no big deal.”

Axl started breathing slowly, soon being followed by Duff, that seemed to get calmer.

“Guys, you have to go. You’re in in five minutes.”  She said looking at her wristwatch.

“Fuck! I’m not ready yet!” Axl complained, rushing towards their bags looking for his clothes as he was still in his travel clothing. 

“Oh, God, not today!” Izzy rolled his eyes, starting to smoke the third cigarette.

“What do you want to wear tonight?” She asked, sitting on the floor beside him. 

“My leather pants and the leather waistcoat.” He looked at her. “Find them and I’ll find the shoes and my bandana.” 

Moving to Axl’s second bag she started looking inside, throwing some of the clothes on the ground. “Got the pants!” She yelled, throwing them in his direction. 

“Not this one! I want the cowboy leather pants.” Axl complained.

“Axl!” Izzy interjected. 

“Fine, fine!” He lifted his hands in surrender.

After a few minutes, he was ready, running down the corridors while putting his sneakers on. 

“You should watch the gig,” Steven said. “You’ve never watched one.”

“That’s because I always have to organize your mess.” She giggled a little.

“No, seriously, I think you’d like it.” 

Thinking for a second she answered shrugging. “Why not?” 

“Yeas!” He smiled before getting onstage. 

Finding some equipment boxes on the side-door of the stage, she climbed on a big one, sitting on it and placing her agenda on her side. 

The gig started and she understood why everybody was getting crazy about them. 

Axl moved around as if he had eaten batteries for breakfast, jumping, running, screaming and singing. His voice was incredible and he was fierce, just what you need for a frontman.

Slash had lost all his shyness. Dancing, jumping and playing like a god. Every note that left his guitar sounded magical, precisely right. And even though she couldn’t see his face, she could tell that he loved doing that.

Izzy was like a black cat in the night, that you just notice if you pay attention. He moved around calmly, playing his guitar and singing the backing vocals so peacefully, as if he was born to do that. 

Steven, well, now she understood why they called him popcorn. His hair bounced up and down as his head accompanied the drums he was playing. He smiled and sang along and if he could, she was sure he’d get up and dance to the songs.

But nobody caught her eyes like Duff did. The velocity with which he moved his fingers, the way his head kept up with the beat of the song. The way he walked so majestically with his long legs crossing the stage in a few seconds.

He was beautiful, a masterpiece in her opinion. And she knew that there was no use in trying to fight, she was already in love with him. 

----

After the gig, they did the check-in in the hotel, taking a quick shower before stopping in a restaurant for dinner. 

Joining two tables together, they sat down. Tom and Izzy taking the borders, Axl, Slash and Steven taking one side while Y/N and Duff took the other.

It was a simple restaurant, nothing fancy, and as they talked and ate Y/N couldn’t help but feeling like she was having dinner with old friends of hers.

“So I get home and grandma is complaining that Axl was sleeping on her couch and that she wants him out of the house.” Slash was telling a story about when Axl used to sleep in his basement.  

“I go downstairs and say ‘Axl, you have to find somewhere else to stay, bro’ and he’s like furiously throwing his things inside this backpack while giving me an angry look.”

Axl was laughing at this point.

“We got in my mom’s car and I started driving him towards the place where Izzy was crashing and I was like ‘Why did you sleep on her couch, dude? I had told you not to do that!’ and he looks at me with that ‘I’m gonna kill you look’, he opens the door and jumps out of the car!”

“What?” Y/N asked.

They were all laughing.

“I was pissed.” Axl answered.

“Pissed? None of us saw you for three days!” Slash added while Duff wiped some tears away from his eyes. 

“I needed time to calm down.” Axl replied calmly, still smiling as he lifted his glass to drink from it. 

“This is the best story you guys ever told me!” She said after she stopped laughing.

----

Leaving the restaurant they started walking towards the hotel, they all went in front, leaving Duff and her behind.

It was a cold night in London and Y/N had definitely forgotten that their winter was actually cold.

A cold breeze got her when she turned a corner and she shivered, hugging herself. Her sweater was definitely not enough for a night like that. 

“Here.” She looked to her side and saw Duff taking off his leather jacket and handing it to her.

“You don’t have to.” 

“Y/N. Take the jacket.” He smiled at her.

She took it, her cold fingers touching his warm hand slightly. 

Putting the jacket on she realized it was big on her, the smell of his cologne mixed with Marlboro hit her nostrils and she hugged the jacket closer to her body, wishing that it was him who was involving her. 

A few minutes passed by and they finally reached the hotel. Entering the lobby the warmth welcomed them in and she smiled. 

“On which floor are you?” Duff asked.

“Fourth.” She started to take the jacket off. 

“I’m on the sixth.” 

“Yeah, I know.” She smiled. “Thanks for the jacket, Duff.”

“It’s ok.”

They stopped for a second, looking at each other almost as if they were in trance. 

Duff put a lock of her hair behind her ear and licked his lips.

“Y/N.” Tom’s voice cut the atmosphere, making her jump slightly and look in his direction. “Are you coming?” He pointed to the elevator.

“Yeah, just a sec.” 

Looking at Duff again, she gave him a small smile. “Good night, Duff.”

He leaned down, lightly kissing her cheek. “Good night, Y/N.” 

Getting in her room she quickly changed into some comfy pajamas. She stopped in front of the bathroom mirror when brushing her teeth and soon realized that she was smiling.

Her face seemed to be tickling where his fingers had brushed ever so delicately over. And she could still feel the warmth of his lips against her skin.

“Oh, Y/N. You are so fucked now.” She said to herself, walking towards the bed and jumping on it. 

She laid there, but she couldn’t sleep, his face and voice filling her mind along with the memories of him playing onstage. 

Her hair, which had stayed inside the jacket during the walk to the hotel, was smelling like him.

She turned around, facing the illuminated building in front of the hotel while smiling.

Yes, she was fucked. But she was feeling so happy that she couldn’t even get mad at herself for feeling like this. 

[demivampirew]

Kalentine’s Day

Henry x Plus-Size Reader

You can find more of my writings in the Masterlist

This was a request from @born2stronger : “what about if Henry meets reader through Instagram (we all know sometimes he checks on the comments) so reader gets his attention and he messages her.”   I hope you like it. 😊

Triggers: Fat- shaming; talking about the lost of a pet; feeling of nostalgia.

Tag list: @lunedelorient​​ @henrythickcavill​ @wolvesandhoundshowltogether​ @mary-ann84​ @desperate-and-broken​ @peakygroupie​ @summersong69​ @ivvitm1109​ @madbaddic7ed​ @iloveyouyen​ @the-soot-sprite @hell1129-blog​

"Happy Valentine's day everyone! For all of my fellow single pringles out there, you don't have to be in a relationship to enjoy today, it's about Love. Enjoy seeing others in Love, love your friends, your family, and especially yourself. #Kal #ValentinesDay #BestDogEver #KalentinesDay"

Henry wrote and posted the picture of Kal laying on the bed with a rose on his Instagram account.

Nostalgia hit him hard later that day. He wasn't in a rush to get back on the dating game, especially not after a recent disappointment with a lady, but he missed celebrating that day with a woman he would care about. He starting to imaging how that day would've been if there was someone special in his life: he'd had made breakfast for her to eat on the bed; he'd taken a stroll down the park after that, to enjoy the beautiful morning. They'd have had lunch in someplace fancy, then watch a movie and he'd prepare her favourite dish for dinner and he'd finish the day by making her feel unique. Every woman in his life was unique on his eyes, for best or for worst. That thought made him sigh deeply for what he decided to check some comments on his post. Cheeking comments on his photos was his guilty pleasure. He loved the nice comments and would laugh out loud whenever there were thirsty comments; some were a bit distasteful, others were cute and there were others that were so odd that made him chuckled.

As he was scrolling through comments, one caught up his attention. "@(your username) "KalentinesDay" you cracked me up, Mr Cavill! But I'd like to differ with the BestDogEver one; I love Kal, he's awesome, but my dog is...was the best. I lost him two days ago and I felt like my world crushed for I've had him since I was a kid. Being there holding his paw as the doctor put him down due to disease was the worst thing I've ever experienced. Sorry for ruining the mood, but thank you for the post, it lighted up my day! Have a nice KalentinesDay, Sir." He felt so bad for that person, so he entered her profile and hit the message option. "Hi Y/N. I saw your comment and I just wanted to say how sorry I'm that you lost your beloved companion. I've had Kal for a few years and I cannot even bear the thought of losing him, so I cannot imagine how must feel to lose your pal who's been there most of your life. Be strong. I'm sending you virtual hugs and lots of love. I hope you get better soon." After sending her the message, he checked her account for he saw a recent post with a picture of a lovely dog. It wasn't a mixed breed. It was a rescued dog. She talked so fondly of him, remembering the first day she met him and a few adventures they lived together. The stories warmed Henry's heart yet saddened him, knowing that his light had extinguished. There were a lot of pictures of her dog on her account and pictures of books and movies. Funny enough, most of the books she talked about were some of his favourites and the ones that he hadn't read, he took screen captures so he wouldn't forget to check them out. One of the movies she posted about was Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and he had to see her thoughts on it. She agreed that the whole Martha plot was absurd, but the thing that bothered her the most, and in her opinion ruined the movie a little bit, was the fact that Doomsday was on the final trailer, for the movie would have been higher rated from her if she'd already known that he was going to show up. Yet, she disagreed with all the hate and the thought that the movie was bad: "It could've been better? Sure, Was it horrible? Absolutely not," "If it is too dark for you, don't watch it, period. Mr Snyder understands the soul of DC Comics. Dc is not lighthearted, accept that and move on" she wrote. Henry was too tempted to like the post and reply, but he decided that it was best not to do it. She didn't have many pictures of her, but he found one from two years ago. In the picture, she was standing to a bride and she hugging her. She had a pink dress on. Henry looked at her cute smile and was stunned by her beauty. In the caption of the photo, she wrote " Ignore my ugly fat ass... focus on my beautiful sister who just got married to her Charming Prince! Congrats, babe! Love you a lot and wish you a lifetime of nothing but happiness! ♥" Henry liked the picture and went straight to the comment section and wrote "You look gorgeous. I hope their love story is a good one and lives on." and press send. He was so caught by her, that without even noticing it, he went through every single post on her account, like all the photos she was in and same with pictures of books, movies and albums he liked.

He was having dinner with Kal when he noticed that he had a reply on IG. When he opened, he saw it was from the girl with the mesmerizing smile. "I think I should call the police, I have a stalker, 👀 😂" she wrote. "Thank you so much for the mood busting. It means a lot. He brought a lot of light to my life and it's hard to have to say goodbye." she confessed, "but instead of lying in bed crying, I'm going to use that energy to give love to another animal in need, that's what my baby would have wanted, I know it in my heart." she finished. Henry didn't wait for a second to answer her, even if that meant that his food would get cold. "Absolutely! Any animal would be lucky to have you as their momma." he assured, "Sorry for that, I didn't mean to be a creep. I swear I'm nice. I'm Superman" he joked. After a few moments, the girl messaged him again "Superman killed Zod, so...👀😜 ". "Low shot. Also, Zod was a villain" he went on with the conversation. " How do you know that I'm not a villain?" she joked, "Because villains don't love puppies" he grinned like an idiot in love as he pressed send. "Cruella did, though, 👀 😂" she said; "Touché. But I'm sure you're not a villain, you are too cute for that" he explained. "That'd be the perfect cover for a conquer the world masterplan, don't you think? To have everyone trust me and love me for me to be easier to control them?🤔" "Alright, you convinced me. You're the evilest villain in history. So, I should fly to wherever you are and get you." he playfully told her. "And I didn't want to sound creepy 😂. My apologies if my humour seems creepy," he apologized. "I think your humour is genius and I find it cute, no creepy," she pointed out. "Cute enough to meet me in person? 👀" he asked. "Absolutely," she accepted his invitation. "When are you free?" she questioned. Henry looked at the clock, it was 7:30 pm. "I'm free right now if you can." Henry offered, "Do you live in London?". "From the last couple of years, yes. I moved with my mom after my parents got divorced. She's was born here... I mean, yes, I live in London, sorry for the unnecessary information," she requested his forgiveness. "There's no need to apologize. I like getting to know more about you." he explained " Do you want to go to Mark's Club restaurant? It's a nice and quiet place where we can have a nice conversation" he proposed "I think I can get a last-minute reservation since I'm a member of the club." he informed her.  "Sure, I'm going to get ready. Tell me if you get the reservations or we can go anywhere else, I'm sure there are plenty of nice places to eat where there are tables available 😊" she said. "Great, I'm calling them right now!" Henry exclaimed excitedly and went into his phone contact list and press the dial button. He was lucky enough that the manager was a Superman fan and was quite fond of him, so he agreed to reserve a table for him in the busiest night of the year for restaurants. He shared the information to her and went to change as well. He put a white sweater and a nice pair of black pants on and black shoes. A grey blazer was his coat of choice.

He asked for her address to pick her up, but she opted for meeting at the club and he accepted because he understood that maybe she felt unsafe by giving her living information to a stranger. He couldn't lie that this gave him enough time to leave Kal with his friend Ben.

He waited for her inside the restaurant for there were paparazzi outside the place. Mark's Club was an exclusive place where many celebrities choose to eat in, especially in such occasions like Valentine's day - Guy Ritchie and his wife choose that place to spend the night and so did David and Victoria Beckham. Both couples came to greet him as soon as they saw him. His table was about to be ready and she wasn't there yet. He checked for messages on his IG but there were none. Has she stood him up? That'd have broken his heart; no because someone rejected him, but because she did it. He thought that he was losing his mind: being afraid that a girl he met that day on the internet might have played a prank on him and make him believe that she was interested in him.

When he saw that it was 10 pm, he decided that it was better to inform the host of the club that he wouldn't need a table after all. He was about to get up when behind him a female voice called his name. He turned around and stood, speechless. A beautiful woman on a red dress was standing in front of him, showing that glorious smile that captivated him ours ago on his phone.

- I'm so sorry I'm so late.- you apologized profusely - It took me ages to find a cab and then I've spent literally thirty minutes outside trying to get in because paparazzi were being annoying and would get in the way for me to get in.-she explained. - No worries!- he assured her- Honestly, I was a bit afraid that I've had been stood up.-he confessed, styling his hair backwards with his hand. - Absolutely not! I don't particularly enjoy pranks. Especially not in niece people like you.- she smiled and his legs were shaking.

At that moment the waiter approached you to let you know your table was ready. Henry said "Ladies first" indicating you to go first into the table area. The place was elegant. Henry waited behind your chair and as you sat in, he pulled it close to the table. He sat in front of you, grinning like the devil. That charming smile took your breath away.

Every word that came out of your mouth amazed him for your charisma and intelligence. You were not only funny, smart, confident but also beyond beautiful. He knew that wasn't love at first sight, but he could see himself falling deeply in love with you.

Halfway through the dinner, Henry finally noticed that lots of costumers were watching them. He found that odd since he was a regular there and there were plenty of celebrities on that place that night -some way more famous than him.

- I apologized if you feel uncomfortable with people watching us. Usually, they barely look at me. They know I'm an actor, but these fancy folks don't care much for Superheroes.- he explained. You looked at him with a smirk. - They're not looking at you, they are looking at me.- you pointed out. - Are you famous?- he asked confused and you chuckled because he meant it and it wasn't sarcasm. - Yes, I'm Ashley Graham.- you joked and his expression showed ignorance; he didn't know who she was.- She's a model.- you explained and he laughed apologizing for his lack of knowledge on current pop culture. He was beyond cute.- No, I'm not famous. They're looking at me because I'm "fat"; I'm a plus-size woman and they probably can't understand why are you having dinner with me.- you said and smiled- In another point of my life this would have hurt. It did for a long time. Whenever I'd be in a date with a thin man, people would look at us as if they were thinking out loud that he was too good for me, that he could do so much better than a fat girl. Thankfully I'm no longer in a place in which I'd blame myself for their judgement. I'm who I am and I'm ok with that. They can look all they want, they don't mean anything to me.-you shrugged- But, I need to know if that bothers you. I won't judge you if you are not into me. Maybe I'm confusing things, but the fact that you made a last-minute appointment for dinner on this day is because you have some kind of interest on me and I do for you too. I'm in for getting to know each other and maybe be something if we feel it later on. But if that's the case, if I got things wrong and you are not interested in my, just tell me. It's ok and we can be just friends if you want. All I ask from you is not to waste my time. Don't get me to grow feelings for you if you have no intention in returned them.- you requested. Henry went silent for a moment. Then he put his hand on top of yours, grabbed it and kissed it. He grinned and replied, "You got it right, gorgeous."

The dinner continued with you two laughing, drinking fine wine and having delicious desserts. You tried to grab the check but he took it so fast that you barely saw it. "I'll pay next time. That's the condition for me going out again with you" you indicated firmly and he agreed.

As you were about to leave, he noticed you didn't have a coat. "I was so hurried that I forgot to grab one" you explained and he immediately took off his and gave it to you, despite you telling him that you were ok, and helped you to put it on. He held your hand to walk outside, not caring if paparazzi took photos of you and he called a cab for you. It was easier for famous people to get a ride, you noticed. He drove you to your place and walk you to the door. He was much taller than you, so he leaned in to kiss your cheek and kissed your hand as well. Henry promised to call you the next day and walked towards the car. You reminded him of his coat and he asked you to keep it safe for him until next time you saw him. With a big smile, he got in the car and after you entered your place, you heard the cab left.

[peakascum]

Reunion

First of all, thank you so much for the feedback on my first fic! Second of all, I am still trying to make the masterlist but Ia m new to this so it will take time. In the meantime, I will put a “peakascum” tag on every imagine so you will be able to find every writing under that tag on my profile. Anyway, hope you enjoy this one!

Polly had smoked half a pack of cigarettes since the beginning of the family meeting. She had come in and sat at the most far out corner and stared aimlessly at the floor. Skin pale as ever, but her eyes held a whirlpool of emotions. She had a look of confusion, perhaps terror. A look the boys had only seen twice in their lives. The first time being when she bid them farewell at the train station before the war, the second time being when she learned the fate of her children. 

Tommy concluded the meeting, dismissing everyone to go about with their work and stared at her intently. “So are you going to tell me,” he paused to light his cigarette, “or am I gonna have to wait until you reach your breaking point?” Polly looked up at him and stood up, nervously fiddling with her hands. “It’s nothing Tom. Just stress.” She said, barely meeting his eyes. “Polly,” he started, clearing his throat, “we both know how you get when you bottle everything up. Now, I’m already stressed enough dividing everybody's jobs and calculating our next move. If this is about our rivals, you have nothing to worry about, but if-“ she gave him a pointed glance and said, “Oh come off it, Tom. It’s not about that. It’s- it’s silly.” The room stilled for a second. Polly kept staring at the window, building up courage, adjusting the words in her mind as to not sound completely delusional.

“I was at the market buying the essentials. Had to go all the way across town for that new tea that Ada likes- and I swear to God Thomas I am not on pills anymore- but I could've sworn I saw Martha.” She looked up at him, the first time since the beginning of the meeting. They both chuckled at how bizarre the idea sounded. “Martha? Our John’s dead wife Martha?” He had to say it out loud. The tone in his voice acknowledging how ridiculous it sounded. “I told you it was silly.”

But it wasn’t. To them, it did sound as if Polly was back on the self medication journey she went on since almost hanging. That was years ago. Since then, John had died, Michael had come back from America, they had moved up to high society, and had struck up new rivals on various spots in England. Life had changed. Clouds no longer lingered on the streets of Birmingham, everything started to matter a little bit more. They all missed John. Polly would pray for his soul every morning and every night. She would pray for his kids, the ones Esme took, pray they were safer and that somehow she would be able to see them again. 

The next family meeting had taken place in the small room at The Garrison. It was a quick one, more so to catch up on the day’s events. Arthur had come in around, whisky glass in hand, stumbling over his words, “So Poll you seeing ghosts now, eh?” He screamed, making the whole room chuckle and look at her expectantly. “That’s enough Arthur. Just an honest mistake.” She said, a grin painting her face, yet it did not reach her eyes. She knew it was silly, but it wouldn't be the first time she had seen the departed.

Finn stood near the door, facing Arthur’s back, laughing and mocking Polly with the rest of them. “I don’t really remember Martha well, but I don’t think you're delusional aunt Poll.” He said in a confident voice.  The room kept ignoring his words, busy with roaring laughter and the sound of their aunt’s voice scolding them all. Finn kept his posture and continued, “Besides, thought I heard John’s laugh the other day,” he mumbled. The room quieted for a moment. Finn looked up realizing they heard him and continued, “but it wasn’t, eh? Obviously. I-I’m not Polly, don’t have any of that gypsy crap with me.” 

Polly, furiously but steadily, stood up, “First of all,” she said making her way over to Finn, “it is not gypsy crap or gypsy bullshit, do not disrespect your roots.” She said as she smacked him in the head. “Now look at me and tell me what you on about boy.” She grabbed his young face in her hands. “It’s nothing aunt Poll. Just like Martha. It’s nothing. Besides, it was a woman laughing Poll,” he stammered and ripped his face from her grip. Polly stared at him, then at the whole table full of very confused Shelbys. 

“I knew it. I can feel it,” she started, earning a deep glare from Tommy.

“Do not mock me. I can feel when the air shifts. I know what I saw.”

“Okay, that’s enough Poll,” said Arthur, no longer laughing. 

The Shelbys had not made another sound, looking at each other, wondering who would be the first to speak up. Their aunt’s statement had steadied them into a haunting lullaby, reminding them of the many gypsy traditions that they secretly carried with them. The good omens, the way the wind suddenly stilled into an ominous glare that same morning; and in a drastic turn of events, the way the hairs on the back of young Finn Shelby’s neck stood up at the sound of what he mistook for John’s laugh. 

____________________

A week had passed after the eerie conversation at The Garrison. They carried on with their business, with bets and the rival gang that had pestered Tommy for months now. They were closing in around corners of Small Heath, leaving threatening notes on their doorsteps and even going as far as killing a Blinder and leaving him on the betting shop’s entrance. This caused the family to carry trinkets of good luck and repeating gypsy mantras to calm their superstitious beliefs that came with their Romanian blood.

It had all led up to the current position they all found themselves in. Thomas had a gash on his brow, causing blood to adorn his features. His gun pointing at the enemy’s face. The Weston’s were known for their brutality, even worse than a Blinders wrath. Arthur held an already dead man in his arms screaming like a maniac, threatening others who would dare come for them. Finn, Isiah, and Michael incessantly beating and battling the other men, all in a row of punches and blood and gore. A scene so obscene that would have made any person queasy. But these were no ordinary people. They were Shelbys. Polly peaked her head through the small room’s door, enough to see the violence unfold. They had been attacked by surprise at their own pub, and she feared for her nephews lives, more so now than any other time. Never taking her eyes away from the scene, she ferociously prayed for a miracle, a gift, a second chance. 

The men grabbed Thomas by his arms, dangling him whilst another pointed a gun to his face. “Mr. Shelby, always have the upper hand,” said one of them with a tantalizing smirk, “but it seems your reign is over and your crown is mine.” The men chuckled and cheered, seeing their enemy half dead in their hands. Tommy looked up and smirked, which turned into a manic laugh, making the Blinders pause their movements. “Brother?” Arthur asked, gulping at Tom’s actions. Tommy looked at them still laughing, “You think you’ll defeat me? Whenever you think you have the upper hand, I will always be one step in front of you,” he paused to spit, and continued.

“It’s my legacy, it’s my family’s legacy. And you have the nerve to barge into my territory and declare war on me?” His smile never leaving his face, blood covering his teeth. All of them looking upon him in confusion. 

The doors to The Garrison opened letting in dust and a cold wind meddle its way in. Footsteps echoed through the current silent pub. Arthur dropped the man that he held between his arms. Finn’s eyes flashed a look of confusion, recognizing the presence that made its way into the pub. Polly’s hands shook against her sides, too numb to move them. The footsteps grew louder, yet the pace never changed. Tommy looked at the men as they noticed also and chuckled, “Do you you really think I would have left my pub unsupervised for you lot to take?” 

There in the middle of the room stood a group of men led by a girl, a girl that was perhaps younger than Finn. Her dark hair gathered loosely by a ribbon, freckles adorning her face and piercing eyes that matched her posture, determined and hard. Their saving grace. Their hail Mary pass.

“Y/N?” Whispered Arthur.

In a split second the Blinders ducked behind chairs and the other side of the bar. Their guns cocked and immediately erupted in a song of metal and flesh and screams. The girl’s face never changed, her body unbothered. Each and every men dropped to their knees with multiple bullets to their bodies. 

The noise suddenly stopped. The Weston’s Leader remained standing, too embarrassed and in shock to move. Y/N made her way over and pointed her gun to his face, “Don’t fuck with the Peaky Blinders.” immediately putting a bullet between his eyes. 

“Holy Jesus,” Polly said as she stumbled out of the room, “Y-You look just like her.”

Y/N turned around and smiled at the woman that stood there, pale as snow, as if she’d seen a ghost. “Hello aunt Poll.”

Tommy stood up with the help of a perplexed Arthur. “Who is she?”, Michael asked breaking the tension in the room. 

“I don’t think any of you remember me clearly, I was just a girl when I left.” She said, a small smile appearing on her face. “This is Y/N, John’s daughter,” piped Tommy, looking at her tenderly. 

“You weren’t delusional Polly, I just couldn't give her cover away.”

Polly made her way over to Y/N and cradled her face her hands. “I knew it,” she breathed out, “I knew it, didn't I? I knew that it wasn't a ghost. You look just like your mother.” Polly breathed out in a shaky voice causing the girl to smile widely.

“I reached out to Tommy. Wanted to be a part of the business, reunite with my family.” She said looking around the room excitedly. 

Polly took the girl in her arms, allowing herself to sob freely. The room warmed up with the Shelby’s smiles. It wasn't Martha, It wasn't John, but it was their niece. A living, breathing piece of John’s heart for them to hold and treasure. 

[peakyblinderswhore]

req:  A date with Tommy Shelby. Umm, not actually date, it's just that he and his wife haven't been able to spend time together due to work and he just randomly goes to his wife's study and finds her working and then she asks him what he wants (she's annoyed with his behaviour lately) and he goes "can't I sit in my wife's study to just look at her?" I mean, yeah something like this and then they drink together and slow dance and then make gentle love and just sleep away. Sorry if it's too lengthy 🙈

wc: 1.6k

warnings: mentions of alcohol, smoking, left to your imagination at the ending ;)

Tommy sits back on his leather desk chair and thinks about all the things he’s been doing lately. Most of them involved seeking you out and prying for answers to his questions or just to exist in your presence. His eyes sweep over all of the things laying on his desk, including the pen he had abruptly placed down when he decided that he’d had enough; he thought the words would be tattooed in his brain by now and yet he still does the brunt of the work sometimes. It drained him mostly but occasionally it kept his very busy mind focused on this and only this.

Tommy pushed with his foot to swivel the chair a little and his eyes shifted to land on the frame adorning his desk, a little reminder to himself of why he still exists today. Inside the frame was a picture of you and him on your wedding day, surrounded by John’s kids who had been flower girls and flower boys. It wasn’t something Tommy was aware was a thing but you had insisted that they get equal opportunity and as he had expressed not wanting to lose the rings, you said it was a win-win. He just has Arthur hand them over when it gets to the important part and you cry at the sentiment. You had everything planned out, even down to when to cry and when not to cry; he’d always loved you for the little, impossibly specific things about you. He knew you probably would cry most of the day but it was your way of trying to comfort him whilst also including his nieces and nephews in the wedding, something they hadn’t been allowed to do at Arthurs and Linda’s immaculate Christian wedding.

Tommy’s lips curl absentmindedly as he remembers the day he wedded you. It was undoubtedly one of the few things he was so positively sure of that Polly didn’t even prepare a counter argument like she had for Arthur (She never had the chance with John since Martha was pregnant and on the verge of showing just how pregnant). 

Deep in thought, Tommy tries to remember the last time the two of you spent some time together, that wasn’t bound to dinner tables and quiet breakfasts. The breakfasts were quiet as the two of you ate and caught up on the news by reading the newspaper most mornings. Sometimes he would smoke and you would frown slightly at his actions but never commented. He would always let it burn in the ashtray the second your fingers searched for yours in reassurance despite the light scowl present on your temples as you continued decomposing the front-page news of the day. He adored you and studied you at breakfasts, more often than not, leaving his breakfast to go cold and later apologising to the cook when he asked for another slice of toast instead of eating his cooked breakfast. Tommy usually removed the poached eggs from his plate and put them on a saucer before silently nudging them towards you. You always lifted your newspaper higher and hid the smile gracing your lips, hoping that he wouldn’t see it but he always did and he always felt his heart flutter at the sight, no matter the fact that you’d been married already for a few years and he hoped it would never fail to make his heart flutter for years to come.

Deciding that he’d had enough for the day, Tommy lifts himself from his desk chair and makes his way towards your study, where you often lay reading or sat painting or sometimes could be found just airing your thoughts to the painting of the horse that Tommy had bought for you at auction for your anniversary one year. You had named him Honeysuckle. Tommy had been over the moon that you loved his present as he had always enjoyed spending his off time with horses whenever he could. He preferred horses over people, not including you.

Today, when Tommy padded into the room in a pair of slippers you had insisted on gifting him (you said it was silly for him to walk around in work shoes when he was at home and therefore he should wear something comfier for the comfier setting), you were sitting in an armchair, the leather faded from the sunlight that pooled through the tall windows, your hair pulled back and tied out of your face by a simple scarf and a book resting on your folded legs.

Tommy’s chest swelled with adoration, loving how the midday sunlight hit your face and made you glow from where he was standing. The book you were reading was well thumbed despite the leatherbound spine, instantly telling him that you were researching the appropriate things for your small business. He sat down on the loveseat opposite and pulled out a cigarette.

You twitched, hating that he had come into your space to smoke when he could’ve just as easily smoked in any other room in the house or on the grounds somewhere far away from you. He knew you hated him smoking as it reminded you of your father who chain smoked like it was going out of fashion until the day he died. He also knew you tolerated it as best you could as Tommy didn’t smoke as severely as your father once had.

“Tommy,” you began, not taking your eyes away from the line you were currently trying to etch into your brain, “this is a cigarette-free space.”

He smiles, enjoying your nagging despite not directly addressing the thing that was bothering you.

“Alright I’ll put it away,” he says and tucks it neatly back into the case he had pulled it from and left them to rest on the wooden tabletop next to him.

“I was just repeating the only rule we agreed on in this house.”

“And I just wanted to listen to you say it, again.”

You shifted how you were sitting so the book rested on the arm of the chair and you rested your head on the palm of your hand, flicking between pages with the other.

“I don’t see the appeal in listening to me repeat myself.”

“I like hearing the sound of your voice as it travels through the room,” he replied, not missing a beat. He smiles and waits for you to lift your head to face him. You wondered briefly if you had forgotten what he looked like since this morning’s breakfast… probably not,

He waits for you to say something back but nothing comes and you make no moves to continue the conversation, “Don’t you wanna see if my face has changed since this morning?”

Stilling, you wonder how he knows you so well. You leave your finger below the line you were reading and point your gaze in his direction. You drink in his features, take note of the slippers you had been nagging him to wear and offer a tight smile, “What are you after, Tommy?”

“Can't I sit in my wife's study to just look at her?”

You frown and pull the bookmark down and close the book before resting it next to your own wooden tabletop. Looking over at Tommy Properly, you see that he’s sat with one leg draped over the other, a smug grin resting on his face and his eyes glistening as he watches your every move.

“I suppose you can.”

“Drink?” He offers as he leans forward, uncrossing his legs and begins pulling whiskey glasses from the centre of the lowered table between the two of you and pours himself a single, not wanting to push it too far tonight.

Hesitantly, you nod and wait for him to pour one for you. He holds the glass out to you and waits for you to take it from his fingertips.

You reach to take the glass from him. Your fingertips brush over his and he pulls you towards him by your elbow. You let out a gasp when your met with Tommy’s clothed chest, holding your glass close to your chest and try to push away from him but he just sighs and gruffly says, “I know I haven’t made too much effort to spend some time with you recently but this is me saying I’m sorry so please don’t pull away.”

His blue eyes bore into your own as you look up to study him, “Alright,” you whisper and rest your head against his shoulder, swaying in his arms as he sways with you, humming something you don’t quite recognise straight away. He hums it like a soft lullaby you would sing to a young child.

Breathing in his scent, you nuzzle your head further into his neck and press your lips against the bare expanse of skin that you could reach while you were in your moment of bliss. You sip from your drink and hum along with him, not wanting the moment to end. It was a breather and something you had missed from his soft side in recent days.

“Hey,” he lifts your chin to face him. He presses a kiss to your lips and watches as you chase his lips when he pulls away, “Follow me.”

You let Tommy guide you through the decorated halls of your home until he leads you into your bedroom, glasses long forgotten on one of the sideboards, left for one of the maids to clear away later on.

He undresses you slowly and drinks you in before you do the same to him, spending the rest of the afternoon together, tangled in the no-longer clean sheets in your shared bedroom.

900 ꜰᴏʟʟᴏᴡᴇʀꜱ ꜱᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ!

ꜱᴇɴᴅ ɪɴ ᴀɴ ᴀꜱᴋ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ/ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ’ʟʟ ᴡʀɪᴛᴇ ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ʟᴇꜱꜱ ᴛʜᴀɴ 1000 ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ ʀᴇꜱᴘᴏɴꜱᴇ.

[eleutheramina]

5D’s positivity!

As someone who likes and thinks a lot about 5D’s (1-64) and recently rewatched the series, I realized I have a tendency to get pretty frustrated/negative about how some things turned out at the end, especially in the latter half of the Dark Signer arc (which I may make another post about), so wanted to take some time to think about things I genuinely appreciated!

(For the most part) doesn’t completely drop/forget the non-Signer supporting characters from the beginning arc! I always thought it was funny how Himuro/Yanagi went from Yusei’s prison buddies to Rua and Ruka’s babysitters and it’s a nice subtle way to demonstrate how Yusei’s really someone who connects people together. Of course Tenpei probably could have been more of a character than he is, but 

Also appreciate how Rally-tachi get a little more development in the DS arc--being the first to react to Yusei being King, for instance, and even getting to save his D-Wheel (even if it’s largely also comic relief) . It’s nice to see people caring about Yusei and trying to go out of their way to help/support him rather than Yusei just going out of his way to help others

I really really like the exchange Blitz has with Yusei in episode 37 when Yusei’s like like “sorry for causing y’all trouble ^^’ ” after they help get his D-Wheel and Blitz like “lol dude we’re your friends it’s ok you can rely on us” because I think it really shows that as much as Yusei believes in bonds/cares for his friends, he doesn’t always let them care for him. (Also similar to how Yusei helps fix Rua/Ruka’s duel disks but then leaves them so that he doesn’t cause them trouble.) Also clearly Yusei surrounds himself with supportive people which is gr8 (another reason why it really sucks that Rally-tachi are basically written out later--oops sorry this is supposed to be a positive post)

Carly’s character in general is pretty awesome. Maybe I just have low expectations for female characters in YGO, but even I think it’s pretty great that even though she’s obviously primarily introduced as a catalyst for Jack’s development, she’s also allowed her own character arc (which I think parallels Jack’s nicely), her own highs and lows, and her own motivations that are distinct from other characters. She even has some interactions--however minimal--with characters that have nothing to do with Jack (shocking!!!). Like I think it’s easy to forget that Carly actually met and talked with Yusei before she met Jack (not that that relationship is important, but still)! 

She’s also an active character whose actions actually advance the plot (she’s the one who seeks out Jack at the hospital, she’s the one who decides to infiltrate the Arcadia Movement). Honestly, in 5D’s, especially in the DS arc, a lot of times the plot kind of just happens to our main characters (the antagonists do more of the plot-moving), and it’s refreshing to see a character’s actions actually moving the plot forward. 

She and her thoughts/emotions are given a decent amount of dignity. When she dies and becomes a Dark Signer, obviously it’s important because wow now our rival character has something to be angsty about/motivate him, but also we get to see how she reacted to becoming a Dark Signer (poorly) and how she eventually became swayed to continue in the role.

I feel like all too commonly female characters become centered around another male character and you can argue that Carly’s character is basically about Jack at a certain point. But honestly, Jack’s character (his motivation and development) in the DS arc is, if not just as centered, at least centered a comparable amount around Carly, so it’s nice that at least they’re balanced in this way.

Overall, I could totally imagine, given the purpose of Carly in the overall narrative, that the writers could have had her be a Manic Pixie Dream Girl or have her simply get Stuffed in the Fridge, but they didn’t, and I’m grateful for that.

Also, Scoopshipping <3

Jack’s arc (even if rushed) and it’s relationship to the theme of 5D’s in general! If ultimately 5D’s is primarily about the importance of bonds (to the point that it’s the name of the first OP, and the reasoning behind Yusei’s multiple victories), I think the egotistical Jack learning to care about one person (romantically or not, although obviously they decided to go romantically) first is probably the best way they could have developed his character to support the overarching theme. 

I like how the penultimate episode of the FC arc is about the Lonely King, Jack Atlas, and the penultimate episode of the DS arc revisits that King with Jack’s speech to Godwin. Honestly, I adore that speech in general--especially Jack’s line about how he’s not the King anymore, since it’s something he’s said before throughout the arc but more offhandedly.

I also appreciate how Yusei has pretty much no role in Jack’s arc after he beats him. Not that I don’t think he could’ve played an interesting role, but given the surplus of characters relying on Yusei in the series, I think it’s nice that Yusei literally has no idea about anything Jack goes through in the DS arc. Jack vs Carly is the only Dark Signer duel Yusei is not present for because he’s stuck in the rainbow pit. 

Also, Scoopshipping <3

Rua’s arc (already talked about here)

They let Yusei lose!! (or basically lose--though tbh I’m pretty fine with his FC arc wins because they were all pretty necessary/plot-relevant and Yusei is always the underdog anyway) Also I think they at least tried to show with Kiryu the downsides of Yusei’s mentality about bonds and how his self-sacrificial nature can be bad sometimes. Having Kiryu hate Yusei’s guts because of what’s essentially a misunderstanding of an officer’s pat on the back is pretty dumb, but I do think there was potential in showing the darker side of Yusei’s loyalty to Kiryu as the latter became more and more toxic. 

Speaking of Yusei, I really like the scene in episode 47 when Yusei’s like “yeah, after we beat the Dark Signers, everyone’s coming back!!” and Jack/Ushio are like “wtf you don’t know that’s true ??” and Rua’s like “stop Yusei’s sad too :(” I think it’s one of the more interesting moments of the whole group interacting with one another where you can see them playing off each other especially since clearly the situation is stressful and upsetting. It seems like Yusei feels like he needs to step up as a leader to boost morale but also still feels uncertain and doubtful, and it could have been even more interesting if Yusei had been allowed to be wrong about this, even just a little bit. 

I’ll always have a soft spot for Ushio’s character development and the erosion of the prejudice that is a fixture of his character during the Fortune Cup. It’s also nice how it’s ultimately Martha and Takuya who help show him another side of Satellite, rather than Yusei. Ushio’s dynamic with Rua and disbelief about the Spirit World is also pretty fun to watch.

Little moments of continuity like Jack remembering Godwin’s metal arm in episode 62 and incorrectly guessing that he’s the 5th Signer like the rest of us thought, or Ushio recognizing Saiga in episode 45 since they briefly interacted before. 

[elysiashelby]

In Another World - T. Shelby Imagine Ch. 2

Paring: (Eventual) Thomas Shelby x Aliena Welsh (OC)

Fandom: Peaky Blinders

Word Count: 2, 522

WARNINGS: Cursing

Summary: Aliena Welsh has been living in the universe of the show Peaky Blinders for 2 months now. She’s beginning to make a life and a home for herself, but she’s been avoiding calling Thomas by his name. And he wants to know why.

MASTERLIST  CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER THREE

A/N: So, I forgot to add something very important. I am not from Liverpool. I do not know the proper way scousers talk. I’ve done some research and watched movies, but I will not advocate that it’s perfect. I’d love to get my readers’ opinions on it, and if enough responses come back saying that I shouldn’t show her accent in the writing- it will be gone! Also, this is the pronunciation of Aliena ( A Lee ay nah ). Thanks for reading!

So, I've been with the Shelby's for two months now! It has definitely been something! I mean Polly is very strict and for the first couple of days I was taking care of John's kids, she was watching over me like a hawk. I mean I didn't mind and I totally appreciated it. I dealt with me own family members, meaning I could've dealt with them however I wanted but these weren't me kids to punish. So, that's where Polly helped me out. She set me boundaries. 

With the cooking, I learned a lot of things. Like how to make eggs and bacon and sausage for breakfast. I can basically make anything Polly has taught me for the past 2 months. I also clean the house regularly. I do the sweeping, moping, the trash, and the laundry. I honestly don't mind. What's fun is that Polly found out that I didn't know UK currency and how it worked and she taught me it along with Finn. But, Finn actually already knew how to count money. He was 10, of course he did! He was there so that Polly could keep an eye on ‘em. 

I'm currently working on buying our weekly groceries for the main house, and for John. For the main house, Polly helps me out, but for John's house, I have to figure it out on me own.   

I was doing the kids' laundry as I watched over them. Katie, the eldest at 7, was helping me along with her sister Ilsa, who was 6. Robert, who was 4, was playing with his younger brother John, who was 3. I found out that John had knocked up Martha when they were 16, resulting in little Katie. They had Ilsa a year later, waited 2 years and had little Robert, and then baby John Jr. was a result of John Sr.’s vacation days during the war. 

I was scrubbing harshly against a stain when I noticed things had gotten out of hand. "Robbie, don't hit your brother so hard! You'll regret it when you're older. Katie, dear, you need to space out the clothes more! Ilsa, you need to scrub that spot harder." I shouted at them. 

Ilsa huffed. "Aliena, I want to go play! Why can't I?" 

"It's not that you can't, sweetheart. It's just- I need your help. I have to take care of all of your clothes along with your father's, along with your uncles’ and aunt's clothes. I would have your brothers do the same if they were any older, but they aren't. They would just mess the clothes up or not wash them right. So, as much as it pains me to prevent you from playing, I need your help, alright?" 

She groaned loudly. "Fine! But only because you need me." She muttered while sporting a big pout. 

I chuckled at her and reached over to pinch her pout. She flinched at it. 

"Aliena, why would I regret it?" Robbie shouted. 

"What?" I asked with my eyes squinting as I tried to get a good look at him. 

He ran towards me, which made Johnny follow. "Why would I regret hitting this annoying bugger?" He repeated while pushing his brother's head. 

I tsked at his antics. "You'll regret it because he'll grow bigger one day and give you a beating back. Mark my words, he'll learn to get you when you're weak!"

"No, he wouldn't!"

"Oh, but he would! It's what siblings do you see. I'm not telling you to never hit 'em because I know that's how you both play, but just don't make each other cry. Okay?"

Robbie tilted his head as if in deep thought before agreeing and running off with his brother. 

I sighed knowing that he probably told me a blag. 

Speaking of blags, you know that story I fed Thomas when I first arrived here was total bullshit, right? The truth is me whole family, nieces and all, are back in California in one house. Me da and ma aren't dead. Me sister doesn't have a husband, but does have a daughter. Me brother doesn't have a wife, but actually has 4 kids. Me da's brother is not mental, but lives with me gran. I forgot the reason why. And me mum still talks to her family all while maintaining the mentality that they are jealous of her because she's a stay-at-home mum. Also, I was dead-on about me body being younger. I had to have been 16, at most, because when I was 18 me features began to be more defined, and now I was stuck with this baby face again. 

When we were all done with the laundry, it was late afternoon. I made us all lunch, and then let them all run abar with their friends with the expectation of little Johnny. Him and I were going back over to Polly's. He once asked me about this decision, and I told him it was because he was too young. He pouted and groaned, but accepted it nonetheless. 

I opened the door to the house and he bolted right in. I laughed at the sight. I went straight away to the kitchen and put on an apron. I had to, ironically, make sandwiches for the boys. Finn probably found something to eat or Polly made him something, but it was my responsibility to feed the older Shelby brothers. 

"Finn, take care of your cousin while I go 'n feed your brothers!" I shouted as I finished making the last sandwich. 

I put a plate on top of the other holding two sandwiches and I had the third one set on its own plate, ready to be served. I opened the door by hitting it with me bum. I was instantly overwhelmed by the yelling and shouting of countless men that were in the betting shop. I had to weave me way through clumps of men as well as maintaining awareness of all their movements, so that they don't bump into me! 

John was closest even though he was actually the farthest. But he was the only one out of his office. Always near the blackboard that one.  

"John, I have your lunch!" 

He smiled at me while taking the plate. "Thanks, love!"

I nodded in return. Then, I went for Arthur's office. I knocked, he saw me, and told me to come in. 

"Here's your lunch, Arthur." I separated the plates and got one of the two sandwiches to place on the plate. 

"Ah! Finally, some fuckin' food! I swear Aliena, you make a mean sandwich. Thanks, doll." Arthur said before taking a huge bite. 

I said "you're welcome" with a rather embarrassed smile and left. I walked out of the room and closed the door behind me. Now, I was holding one plate in my hand. I inhaled largely and puffed my cheeks as I exhaled. 

'I swear I'll never get used to 'em.' I thought.  

I walked over to Thomas' office, knocked, and was allowed to come in. I turned the knob and took in the sight. Thomas Shelby kept his head down, inspecting his documents while nursing a ciggie that was in-between his two fingers resting there with his arm bent on the desk. 

"Your lunch, Mr. Shelby." I whispered as I set his plate down. 

He didn't even lift his head as he muttered "thank you." So, I just left. 

I wiped my hands on me apron, walked back into the main house, and closed the doors behind me. I walked back into the kitchen and tossed me apron on a chair. 

"Finn, is your cousin still alive?"

"Yeah!"

"Good! Keep him that way for the next two to three hours!"

"Okay!"

After serving lunch to the boys, I had to start cleaning the house. I beat the dirt out of rugs, I swept away dirt, and moped the floors afterward. When I was done with that I was taking down clothes that I've just washed yesterday. Then, I got ready to start ironing them, but mid through it was around 4 o'clock. 

I had to stop and go find the rest of John's kids. I got little Johnny and walked back to the flat, but when I got there, I found all three of them waiting outside of the door. I was able to start dinner with ease that night. Katie helped me make chicken soup. She was always so adorable. It took little over an hour. I ate with them, and then told Ilsa it was her night to wash the dishes. 

She’s so stubborn, reminds me of meself. I bet she’ll be a boss feminist when she gets older. I can imagine her now, marching for Women’s Rights. 

Anyway, I ran over back to the main house and helped Polly finish making their dinner. It was basically chopping and peeling. When she didn't need me anymore, I had to go back to the kids. I was up with them 'till 8:30 and then I had to tuck them into bed. I got done by 9, but little Johnny came out abar three times before settling down. When I was confident they were all asleep, I tidied up the house a little more. I just put away a toy or two that they'd missed. 

It was 11:37 in the night when John got home. He thanked me and gave me a pound before sending me on me way. With a pep in my step, I trod over back to the main house. 

I got me key to unlock the door, stepped in, and then locked it. With a key still in me hand, I rested against the door. Me hand with the key was clutching on the doorknob for dear life, me body thudded softly as it collided with the door. I closed me eyes and let out a heavy sigh. I rested there for what seemed like an eternity. But I got meself back up. I took the pins out of me hair that finally managed to form and maintain a proper bun. Me cheeks puffed as I exhaled and I shook out me hair. I put me pins in me coat pocket as I made me way to the couch. Me body just plopped down and I just relaxed. 

Me feet and back soon started to ache. So, I took off me shoes and socks, and started massaging me feet and rolling my ankles. I followed up by cracking me back, and then going upstairs to me room. I started placing everything nicely and where they were supposed to be. I changed into pajamas, which was just a dress. I attempted to fall asleep in bed, but ended up failing. Instead, I went downstairs, grabbed the tub, heated up some water, and drew meself a bath in me own room. 

The only way we could cleanse ourselves here was in a tub. It wasn't installed into the house, oh no! It was quite literally a grey tub, and I have to use another tub for me hair. When I was done, I poured me hair water down the kitchen drain, and then worked me way with the water I used for me body. Afterward, I settled down in front of the fire that was in the living room. I sat in front of it while wringing the water out of me hair. The crackling of the fire as well as its heat was comforting. So much so that I found meself dozing off. 

It was during that allotted time that a hand suddenly shook me. Frightened, I gasped, rolled on to my knees from leaning on me thighs, and tried to focus on the person who jolted me awake. 

"You know, you'll end up catching a cold if you go to sleep with wet hair right away?" Thomas said while kneeling down beside me. "And your hair will be a pain to deal with if you don't brush it soon." 

I nodded while looking at him with hooded, unfocused eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Shelby." My voice sounded hoarse like I actually had been just awoken from a nap when in reality all I did was close me eyes for a second. Me eyes kept wanting to close. I chose to rub me arms to keep me awake. 

"Do I make you uncomfortable, Ms. Welsh?" He asked while properly sitting down next to me. 

I squeezed me eyes shut, silently cringing. I knew I was making it obvious, but I figured that he was used to it. Hell, even Arthur and John don't talk to him without minding themselves. 

With a tight grip on me arms and an equally tight smile I said, "No, not uncomfortable, Mr. Shelby. But I am intimidated by you." 

He nodded silently. "Intimidation is often used as another word for fear."

I giggled at his words. "It's actually a synonym for frighten or terrify, but also overawe. Which means to be impressed by someone to like the point of speechlessness." Me hands were now an active part in our small conversation.

Only reason I knew that was from searching up the word so much! 

"So, am I correct to assume you're telling me you're impressed by me, Ms. Welsh?"

I pursed me lips while leaning me head to the side, resting on me arms that had been crossed on top of me bent knee. "I guess. What I'm really trying to say is that… I don't know actually. I just don't want to cross a line with you, in all honesty. If I were to say something wrong- like a mispronunciation! Arthur and John would 'ave a laugh and a joke, but my expected reaction from you is silence. Silence can be the most daunting thing."

Thomas hummed while looking at me silently. 

I couldn't stop a giggle and pointed at him. "See! Like that! Are you just being understanding, or are you judging me?" I laughed even more afterward, and then I yawned. 

Through squinted eyes, I saw Thomas smirk. It was small. I'm sure it was really a half-assed smile. 

 "I see that you call my brothers by their names. Even though I insisted from the moment we met for you to call me by my name, you don't. Is this the reason why?"

I hummed. "I guess. I mean, well, you're my boss. I figure you have to use, you know, the proper terms. It's my first job 'n all! I didn't want to do anything to mess up." I said while tracing over the patterns in the carpet. 

"Well, from the way I see it, I am your boss and your boss is giving you an order." 

I tried to stifle my giggle and hide me smile, but it didn't do much since he had eyes and ears. "Fine. Thomas."

"Aliena."

After that, he went up to his room. Me fatigue was oddly gone yet at its worst at the same time. It took me another hour before I managed to drag meself up and sleep on the couch.

TAG LIST: @amirahiddleston @nemesis729​

[hitchell-mope]

They really should’ve been written better

I know everyone loves the rotten fours dynamic. I love it too. But we saw how well they worked together in rotten to the core. So we should’ve been afforded proper development for the couples instead of reinforcing said dynamic whenever possible. Meaning. Bal Devie Janelos and Giljay should’ve had more time spent on their progression instead of being what barely amounts to an afterthought

For starters. Chad and Audrey shouldn’t have existed in the first place. Neither should the potion. Neither of them were interesting. And Audrey was fucking grating in the final movie. Bal should’ve had a more natural progression rather then Mal targeting him to get the wand to please her mother. I like how it led to character development. But I hate how they went about it.

To me. Chad only exists to allow the tried and tired romcom tropes they lumped poor Devie with. Wrong guy first. It would’ve been so much better if we saw Evie slowly fall in love with Doug instead of getting with an up his own ass prince first before her heart gets broken at the game. Imagine if she fell for Doug while he was tutoring her. It would’ve been adorable. You can’t deny it. You all know it I’m just saying it.

As for the last two. I use the doctor who rule for Janelos. You don’t see every single millisecond of the characters lives. So done information will seem out of the blue. It’s why I’m not adverse to the Mickey x Martha pairing. However. I don’t read the descendants novels. Too many canons to keep track of. I only count the movies as canon. So, believe it or not, I can see how some could think Carlos’s crush on Jane comes out of left field. So. What I’d suggest is that they drop hints that Carlos likes her in film one. A little smile. Prolonged eye contact. More of them dancing at the coronation. That sort of thing.

With Giljay. It’s sort of the same deal. Except I think Mal should’ve referenced it at some point a little teasingly in the first film like I dunno. They were friends at first but the whole grudge thing prevented it from happening. This could’ve also doubled as foreshadowing the sea three in the first film so they’re not a case of remember the new guy in the sequel

Long story short. My four favourite canon couples deserved better than what they got. The films spent so much time focusing on friendships we already know are strong that the romance didn’t have time to grow. And we know that when they put effort in the couples are some of best things out of DCOM’s just look at camp rock Wendy Wu and teen beach movie. Bal Devie Janelos and Giljay deserved better and I’ll forever be pissed that they were treated as an afterthought by the franchise

[saiilorstars]

Star-Crossed

Previous Story || Current Masterlist

Chapter 5: Surprise, Surprise

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: 10th Doctor x Female OC

Taglist: @ocfairygodmother @anotherunreadblog @maaaaarveeeeel

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

(Kaeya’s face claim: Michelle Trachtenberg)

~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~

Chapter summary: Minerva takes a trip back home to visit her grandmother, only she then learns about her father's condition.

"Where are we now?" Donna looked around a suburban street, quite peaceful with only a couple children playing on the lawns of their homes. The Doctor and Minerva walked beside her, hand in hand.

"San Diego, California," Minerva replied, "Otherwise known as my home — well, second. My first home is with my Martian," she glanced at him.

"Right," Donna nodded, missing the pair's small moment, "And your parents live in the main city, your grandmother here."

She and Minerva had gotten to talking more and more about their families and Donna had expressed her interest in seeing the small town Minerva had grown up in. Minerva had also said she'd like to meet Donna's family but Donna said she just wasn't...ready. To Donna's mother, she was simply at a friend's house. Sylvia knew nothing of Donna's actual travels in time and space. So, Minerva had settled for showing Donna her hometown in the meantime they figured out Donna's family. Plus, there was another reason for coming back to San Diego today...

"My grandmother called and said she wanted to see me," Minerva explained the reason of their visit, "So naturally, I obeyed."

Minerva regretted all the time wasted avoiding her grandmother and wanted to take advantage of their time now. She didn't like to think about it but she knew there was no point in denying it, her grandmother was elderly and she could get ill and, well...die. So now, she was there any time Isadora called. The Doctor had even once offered to bring the elderly woman for a trip. He'd seen Minerva so ecstatic with the idea once he mentioned it he just had to keep it going and offered Isadora a trip to any place she wanted. The trio had ended up in the coronation of Queen Isabella II of Spain, finally getting there. The Doctor had let the grandmother and granddaughter bond during that trip, basking in the glowing joy of his clever girl to spend such a trip with her grandmother.

No more time being wasted, period.

The trio passed the Donovan's house, little Tamara seeing the familiar couple and hollering for them, "Minerva! Minerva! Doctor!" she ran up to the gate, her small hands trying to open the door.

"Hi Tamara," Minerva greeted, opening the gate for her and received the five year old's hug around her leg.

"Stacey's coming home! Stacey's coming home!" Tamara cheered, her brunette locks covering half her chocolate-brown eyes when she looked up.

"She is?" Minerva's eyes widened, her childhood friend was returning home!?

"I told her you came back home and she got really excited and said she wanted to come home and she said her vacation was coming up and she was gonna come home and-"

"She talks a lot, just like you," the Doctor swooped up the kid into his arms, "Does Stacey talk a lot?'

"Oi!" Minerva frowned.

"That's rude," Tamara giggled, poking the Doctor's cheek.

"Right, can't be mean to my girlfriend. Sorry dear," he gave Minerva a small peck.

Donna chuckled at Tamara's distasteful faces due to the pair's lip contact. Tamara shook her head, "Yuck!"

"I used to say the same thing when I was your age, kid," Minerva ruffled her hair, "And then I met a certain man that just had the best kisses. He stole my first kiss! Literally!"

"Best decision I ever made," the Doctor shrugged.

He had often found himself thinking about that first moment where he'd literally taken a kiss from Minerva. What if he hadn't done that? What if he had done something different like kiss Martha instead? As Tamara would say, yuck! Martha was beautiful no doubt, but...Minerva was just stunning in comparison to other women. He really couldn't imagine kissing anyone else but her. And so, if he hadn't kissed Minerva in that hospital...would they have ever developed feelings for each other?

"So you gonna introduce me or what?" Donna stepped up, Tamara studying her with intent.

"Donna, I'd like you to meet Tamara Donovan, little sister of one of my closest childhood friends," Minerva gestured to the five year old, "She's a cutie-pie and quite fun!"

"I am very pretty," Tamara nodded innocently, making the trio laugh.

"Gonna get all the boys later, then?" Donna teased.

"I think she's already giving my Martian the eyes," Minerva said.

"No I don't!" Tamara stuck her tongue out, "Boys are ew!"

"I'm not 'ew'," the Doctor frowned, "I'm amazing!"

"Boys have cooties."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do, all boys have cooties. The only reason I let you hold me is because you have good candy!"

"I don't have cooties," he repeated, "Just ask Minerva. I kiss her all the time and—"

"Doctor," Minerva scolded him, "Tamara doesn't need to know what we do in our time alone."

"Tamara?" Eliza Donovan called as she stepped onto her front porch.

"Right here Mommy!" Tamara waved a hand.

"Oh, what are you doing?" Eliza shook her head and walked down the front lawn, stopping in front of the trio, "John, I'm so sorry. She just loves being picked up all the time," she took Tamara into her arms, "Even though she knows she's too big," she gave Tamara a scolding look.

"John?" Donna cast a confused a look to the Doctor.

"Yes Donna, John. Doctor John Smith," Minerva eyed her until she got the message that it was an established lie in the area.

Since the Doctor and Minerva had started coming around the town more often, Isadora's old neighbors started questioning who the tall man in the pinstripe suit was. Isadora, knowing just how curious her neighbors were, decided to go ahead and give them the Doctor's earth name to avoid any pestering questions.

"Mommy, I told Minerva that Stacey was coming home," Tamara explained.

"Is that true, Mrs. Donovan?" Minerva asked hopefully, "Is she coming back?"

"Just for a small break," Mrs. Donovan replied, "She really wanted to see you."

"I would love to see Stacey again! You just call me when she's coming and I'll be here!"

"I sure will," Mrs. Donovan looked at Donna with curiosity.

The pair, since Martha departed, had usually came alone to the town. There was only one blonde woman who occasionally dropped by, but Mrs. Donovan remembered that she was called Astrid Peth. She knew for a fact the ginger lady had not been around yet.

"Oh, this is our friend, Donna Noble," Minerva said, "She's with us now."

"Hi, Eliza Donovan," Mrs. Donovan shook Donna's hand.

"Nice to meet you," Donna smiled.

"We'll be on our way, my grandmother called," Minerva explained.

"Oh, yes..."

Minerva noticed the change in her tone and face rather fast, "Is something wrong?"

"Um...uh," Mrs. Donovan looked around, clearly trying to avoid the answer, "You know what, we'll see you around. Tamara has homework to do, say goodbye Tamara."

"Bye!" Tamara waved, the trio waving back. Mrs. Donovan hurriedly went back to her house.

"I've gotta go to my grandmother's," Minerva dashed off, "Something's wrong!"

~ 0 ~

"Grandma! Grandma!" Minerva fiercely knocked on her grandmother's front door, "Open up, please!"

The Doctor and Donna were just making it into the front lawn of Isadora's house when Isadora herself opened up, nearly taking a knock on her face, "Oh! Minerva, calm down sweetie," she laughed as Minerva blinked with surprise.

"S-sorry..."

"What's with all the knocking?" Isadora asked, the Doctor shrugging for an apology, "Or pounding, I should say," Minerva remained quiet. Now that her grandmother had finally opened up and seemed alright, she didn't really know what to say, "Minerva? I asked a question," Isadora gave her a sharp look.

"Um...Mrs. Donovan..." Minerva pointed behind, "...she, um, she..." she took a deep breath, "Grandma, what's wrong?"

Isadora smiled broadly, but Minerva knew she was just doing it for her sake, "Why don't you come in," Isadora took her hand and walked her inside, "I see you've found a new friend, hi dear," Isadora turned to greet Donna, holding her hand out, "Isadora Lozano."

"Donna Noble," the ginger shook Isadora's hand.

"This is my grandmother, Donna," Minerva mumbled absently, her mind occupied thinking of anything that could be wrong.

"Now why the face?" Isadora turned to her granddaughter.

"Something is wrong and you are trying to hide it from me," she frowned, "Tell me."

"...it's your father," she spoke after a brief moment of pause.

"What's wrong with my dad?"

"Nothing, nothing is wrong right now," Isadora quickly assured, "He's been going to the doctor and so far, everything is fine."

"Wh-why has he been going to a doctor?" Minerva's frowned deepened, her heart beginning to pick up its speed with fear.

"He's been having some difficulty breathing but it's fine!" Isadora tried to keep her calmed but it was her father she was talking about. No matter how much Minerva tried to keep it hidden, she would always love her parents and would always need them.

"It can't be fine if you called me for that," Minerva shook her head, "Tell me what's going on, please."

"There's nothing wrong right now, but..."

Minerva awaited for the bloody answer but Isadora kept quiet, just looking at Minerva she knew she was going to become overly worried. Even the Doctor and Donna shared a concerned glance, both keeping silent as the tension built up.

"WELL?" Minerva stuttered, nearly trembling to get the answer. She had recalled Marisol's words about her father's issues and while it had made her upset in the beginning, she started to believe that Marisol could've just been messing with her. But now that she looked at her grandmother's face she knew that it was no joke.

"They think he could have Atherosclerosis..."

Minerva tilted her head, a moment in confusion, but she knew what that was, it was part of her anatomy class in high school, "N-no..." she stepped back.

"They think, they're not sure yet," Isadora tried to clarify once more that her son-in-law could in fact be healthy, but Minerva shook her head...terrified beyond belief.

"He's-he's sick..." Minerva's eyes watered up, she stumbled back, "That's not true," she shook her head, "That can't be true..."

"Well, not yet, they're still not sure," Isadora glanced at the silent pair for help, mostly towards the Doctor seeing as he was now the only one who could cheer her granddaughter up.

The Doctor stepped to the brunette's side, putting a hand on her arm, "Minerva, maybe you should si—"

"Don't," she shook off his hand, "It's not true. My dad can't be sick. He's...he's my dad!"

He sighed, "But—"

"I said don't!" she snapped, walking around the trio towards the door, "None of this can be true, it can't be..."

"Minerva, where are you going?" Isadora called but she didn't reply, only the sound of the door being slammed shut coming as a response, "Well, that went well," she mumbled.

"Is it really that bad, though?" Donna asked, the reminder of her own father's passing flashing through her head. She didn't want that to happen to Minerva's father, she knew what it felt like to lose a father and...and she wouldn't wish it on anyone, not even her worst enemy.

"It just started a couple weeks ago, Nicolas said he was having some fatigue."

"But doesn't the man work twenty-four seven?" the Doctor reminded, a bit harsh even if he tried to suppress his irritation with Nicolas Souza for the suffering of Minerva.''

"He collapsed on the job, Doctor," Isadora announced, sadly, "He was in the middle of a case and..." she shrugged, "...just went down to the floor."

"Is he being treated?" Donna quickly questioned, perhaps if he did have something wrong he could receive the attention faster and be healed...or at least controlled.

"You can't exactly treat something that's not identified. But it shouldn't take long anymore, just a couple days and we'll have the results."

"Why are you telling Minerva, though?" the Doctor turned to the elderly woman, "Why not Sophia? Nicolas himself?"

"Sophia is working all the time," Isadora sighed, "She's not there. Nicolas, he asked me not to."

The Doctor paused a moment after hearing that, "I'm sorry...what?"

Isadora understood the shock as well, she herself stunned when Nicolas nearly pleaded her not to tell Minerva anything of his health. It had been the first time in many years that the man had actually showed some emotion for anything.

"Nicolas asked me, begged me, not to tell Minerva anything. He...didn't want to worry her."

Donna looked between the two and tried lifting the mood up a little, "Well...isn't that good, then? Minerva told me all about her dad and how he just shut down. Isn't that good that he's actually caring for Minerva?"

"It's a bit sudden, don't you think?" the Doctor muttered.

"Better late than never," Donna countered.

"Look, I thought Minerva deserved to know what was going on here so she could visit Nicolas," Isadora explained, "I think it could do well to both of them. It's been four years, I think it's time for her to come home."

"A lonely home? Yeah, that's not gonna happen. I won't let it," the Doctor shook his head, determined to keep any more pain for his clever girl away from her.

"I'm not saying she has to stay here, Doctor. But even you must admit it would do good for Minerva to see her parents and work everything out. Because you know, in a long shot, it would truly help her."

The Doctor opened his mouth to retaliate but he knew damn well that it would help Minerva. So he sighed...because if it would help Minerva...

...then he would try to do everything in his power to make it happen.

~0~

Minerva sat on her grandmother's front porch, on the wooden bench against the wall...sniffling as tears streamed down her face. She heard the door open up, followed by a couple of foot steps, "Hey, I thought maybe you could use some tea or something," Donna stood in front of her.

"I prefer coffee," Minerva mumbled, her gaze locked down on her lap.

"Oh, guess I didn't know that huh?"

"Sorry, that was rude," Minerva shook her head, "But listen Donna, can I just be alone please?"

"But you don't really want that, do you?" Donna took a seat beside her, putting the tea on a small table beside her, "I know that's not what I wanted last year. When my dad died, my mum was a mess, she had to shut herself down for weeks. It just left my granddad and me. I kept telling him to leave me alone, leave my room, all I wanted to do was be alone..." she chuckled lightly, gazing ahead as she remembered those first dark days after losing her father, "...but my granddad, he never listened. He was there with me, helping me out," she turned to face Minerva, "That's what you're doing right now. And you better button it up cause I'm not leaving, not until the Doctor comes to take my place."

"Where is he?" she looked up, Donna smiling softly at the necessity of the spaceman the brunette had in her eyes. It was as if he could make everything better, and to Minerva, he probably could.

"He's inside, having a talk with Isadora. He was going to come out first but I said, 'oh no spaceman, you let me try first," Donna shrugged, "So naturally, he obeyed and I came out."

"Without an argument?"

"I know how to keep them shut."

Minerva just smiled, "That's a first. I can't ever keep him quiet."

"Unless you snog him," Donna said absently, taking a second to realize what she had just said, "Which I will not be doing anytime soon," she cringed, "Ever."

"Good to know," Minerva leaned her head on Donna's arm, falling silent for a minute, "Donna, how did it feel to lose your dad?"

"Mm, like...like a chunk of me went down to the ground with him," Donna sighed, "It's just not a good feeling at all. It's awful."

"Yeah, I figured...that's what I felt when Olivia died," Minerva said, "I don't want to lose my dad. I know we don't have a good relationship..." she paused and thought, "...okay, we have no relationship at all, but...he's my dad in the end. I love him, and...and I don't want anything bad to happen to him or my mom."

"Well listen, it's still early, there's a lot of things that can be done. Don't think about death, think about helping him right now."

"But he doesn't want to see me."

"How do you know that, eh?" Donna softly smiled, oh if only that brunette knew her father had begged for her not to know about this, "Ever given him a call?"

'Well, no...he doesn't want to speak to me."

"That sounds like excuses to me," Donna stood up, "C'mon, give him a call. You never know, that could help him a lot."

"Donna you don't understand, I haven't seen my parents in four years. I haven't spoken to my father in four years," Minerva looked up, her face stained with tears.

"Then end that! Come on, give him a call. I know he'll be delighted to hear his daughter's voice," she said with a knowing smile.

"No...I can't."

"Oh yes you can," the Doctor startled her as he walked out of the house, holding a landline telephone in his hand, "And I'm gonna be there until you hang up."

Minerva shook her head, "No."

The Doctor nodded to Donna, the ginger understanding he was gonna go for a try, "I'll take this inside," Donna picked up the tea cup and headed for the door.

"Please don't cry," the Doctor sighed, taking his seat where Donna had been, "I really hate when you cry."

"I'm telling you, I have enough water to fill up the Thames...twice!" Minerva sniffled, trying to turn away from him. She despised when he saw her cry so when she could move she always tried to give him her back.

But it wasn't as if the Doctor would have any of that. "C'mon," he moved her back, managing to pull her onto his lap, "It's alright, you know. You don't have to hide from me, silly. I want to be here cause you need me, I need to be here."

When Minerva knew there was no more point in hiding, she took him as a comforter and snuggled to him, resting her head on his chest, "I don't want him to die, Martian. I don't!" she burst into fresh tears.

The Doctor held her closely and tight, cursing himself for not being able to do something to help her. He was the Doctor, he should be able to stop her from ever crying! What was wrong with him!?

"I already lost a sister, I can't handle losing my dad!"

"Why don't we give him a call?" he suggested, reaching for the phone beside them, "Find out what's really going on, yeah?"

"It can't be true," she sighed, sounding so defeated the Doctor desisted in his insistence for the moment, "My dad can't be sick. He's not supposed to be sick...he should never be sick."

"Minerva, I know it's hard for you to accept that because you love him, he's your father but..."

"I have to accept reality," she finished, letting her head drop down, "I always talk about being realistic but right now I can't. When I picture my dad, I picture him working, being the amazing lawyer he is. Even if he hates me, I picture him fine and healthy. He can't be sick, I'd rather be sick."

"Don't you dare," he warned her jokingly, managing to get a small smile from her.

"Now all I want to do is rush up to him and hug him, tell him I'm gonna be there for him all the time and-" she felt a poke on her arm and she looked to the side to the Doctor holding the phone again, "But he won't take my call," she whispered and pushed the phone away.

"Look, Sophia is the one that has been making the calls. Nicolas hasn't done anything yet, maybe that's a sign that he regrets his actions. Plus...I have certain knowledge that he may care for you..." he had decided to ignore Nicolas's request of Minerva not knowing about his health.

The Doctor figured, after a talk with Isadora, that perhaps Nicolas was beginning to realize his mistake. Additionally, what he had just said was true. Nicolas, from what Minerva told him, never made harsh calls like Sophia did. The Doctor dared to believe that meant something else about Nicolas, he'd take this risk solely because it would make Minerva extremely happy to have her father again. And if it all turned out to be rubbish then he'd personally smack himself endlessly for putting Minerva through that pain.

"Let's find out," the Doctor waved the phone in front of Minerva, "And if he does want to see you, I'll bring you down to your house right after you hung up."

"And if he doesn't? If he doesn't want to see me? Doctor, that'll really break my heart. My dad could be dying and I won't be allowed to see him...just like Olivia," Minerva rubbed her eyes before they let water stream down, "Just another family member I won't be able to properly say goodbye to."

"But you don't know that. I don't know why but I get the feeling Nicolas isn't as bad as Sophia is. He shut down completely after Olivia died, but he never insulted you afterwards. I'm not calling him the dad of the year because I know he didn't treat you right either, but I'm just saying that perhaps, he's a better person now. C'mon, give him a call," the Doctor waved the phone once more with a small smile.

"Will you...will you stay with me?" Minerva hesitated in reaching for the phone until he answered.

"You can't make me leave," he smiled at her, "Now, shall we make a call to my in-law?" she giggled, reaching for the phone and missing him blush for what he said. He hadn't meant to...it had just slipped out!

"I'll call home, that's my best shot," Minerva started dialing on the phone, the Doctor intently watching. After a moment of ringing, Minerva looked up, a tad shy for some reason, "Do you mind if I place it on speaker? I would feel a lot better..." she trailed off.

"If it makes you feel better then go for it," he pressed a short kiss to her lips, "I'll be silent as the night."

"That'll be a first," Minerva mumbled, squealing when he jolted her, "Ah!" she looked at him with a mock-glare, the Doctor responding with a cheeky smile.

"Mrs. Lozano, what can I do for you?," the voice of Hayley interrupted their moment.

"Um...hello," Minerva spoke highly quietly, "Hayley?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"It's, um, it's Minerva...Joy," Minerva corrected herself. In her house, by her mother's orders, she was to be called Joy even if Minerva repeatedly wished they didn't. That was just one right of her a taken away, the choice of her name.

"Miss Joy? Really!?"

"No, just Joy. Well, actually, I prefer Minerva. But listen, I was just phoning because I heard dad was sick."

"Who is that, Hayley?" Minerva's mother's voice called in the background.

Minerva looked at the Doctor, swallowing with fear. He rested a hand on her back and rubbed it soothingly, encouraging her to stay on the line despite of Sophia. She wasn't the one they needed anyways.

"It's Joy, Mrs. Souza," Hayley explained.

"Give me that, Joy!?" Sophia Souza half shouted, sounding very crossed, "Joycelyn I know you are there and if you don't want to speak then that's fine because I have something to say," there was a short pause where Minerva only had the chance to open her mouth for a retaliation when Sophia decided to speak again, "It's not enough to take my daughter, Olivia, away, now you wanna take my husband?"

"Wh-what?" Minerva croaked, the words just escaping in her mind.

She was trying to comprehend what on earth Sophia was talking about...it sounded...it sounded like Sophia was blaming her...

"Well I'm not gonna let you take him too! I want you home by tonight! Do you understand me? Because if you're not back, then I swear to you I will find you and I will bring you back by the hair. Do I make myself clear?"

Minerva was just flatly horrified at her mother's words. She was so cold, so harsh like none other. As angry as Sophia had been, she had never acted like that before. Minerva couldn't find the words to reply with...but before she could raise the phone to her lips again, someone else took it from her hands.

"Sophia Souza, we haven't met before but I'm your daughter's boyfriend, oh let's call me John, why not," the Doctor shot Minerva a wink, the woman confused on what he was trying to do, "I would say it's a pleasure to finally speak to you but if I did that it would just make me a liar. I'll cut straight to the point, though, because I really just wanna hang up on you," his face darkened, his eyes narrowing as if Sophia was actually in front of them, "You don't ever threaten my girlfriend. You don't ever get to lay a finger on her and most certainly you don't get to blame her for someone else's misfortune. You may have gotten away with it during her childhood but she is not alone anymore. She has me, and I warn you Sophia, I don't care if you're her mother or not, you hurt her, you make her shed a tear because of you and I will make you regret it. Do you understand me?"

Minerva stared with half her mouth open, not sure what to think. The Doctor had just threatened her mother...he had just set her mother in place...

"I look forward to meeting you one day, John..." Sophia's sour tone responded before the line was cut off.

"Change of plans, we're no longer calling your house," the Doctor set the phone beside them, cursing himself for having the stupid idea to make the call, "We'll get your father's cellphone number."

He met Minerva's face with a rather cold expression for the first couple of seconds. He really was angry, his blood was physically boiling with rage at Sophia's out lash at the innocent woman on his lap. His mind was on red alert because he had to go make the person who hurt his clever girl pay for what they did. But...this was Minerva's mother, like it or not...

...and that's why he softened after a minute or so.

"Minerva, I'm...I'm sorry," he sighed, looking down, expecting a blow from her after what he did, "But I can't stand it. I can't stand your mother. She does not get to yell at you like that, blame you. I can't just let her keep treating you like that just because she's your mother. She doesn't have the right to do-"

Minerva had pulled him, by the lapels, to her lips for a rather urgent passionate kiss. He was expecting some kind of yells or reprimands for what he did...but Minerva wasn't even an ounce angry with him.

Minerva's hands rested on the Doctor's face, parting and showing her teary eyes, "Thank you," she whispered, sniffling, "My mom thinks this is my fault too..." she bitterly laughed.

"With all due respect, your mother is crazy. It's not your fault," the Doctor informed quietly, watching some tears begin to stroll down from her eyes, "It's not your fault," he placed his hands on her cheeks and literally kissed her tears away on either side of her face, making her smile, "Repeat after me: It is not my fault."

"...it's not my fault," she mumbled, closing her eyes and smiling as he Eskimo kissed her.

"There we go, smiling like it should be," he placed a kiss on her nose.

As he moved to sit back, Minerva reached to cup his face again, "I like when you do that," she mumbled, her gaze on his lips, "But I like it better, and feel better, when we actually kiss," the Doctor didn't get to make a comment on that when she had already begun kissing him.

Course he didn't need to speak to get his point across. He was in like with her, after all, and he liked to kiss her too. His arms moved around her, one around her waist and the other rested on her back, all focused on pulling her closer to him. She knew just how to get him melting in her arms and so when her hands flung to his hair, tugging on it until he growled against her lips, she was more than satisfied with herself. She loved that only she could make him do that, only she could get him to kiss like that, just her...

"There could be people around," her Martian murmured, beginning to move onto her neck, his newly discovered favorite place to kiss.

"Nah..." Though Minerva did take a quick glance with her eyes just to be sure, and indeed no one was around, "...just us," her eyes fluttered closed at the sensation of trails of kisses the Doctor was leaving on her neck, following all around to the other side.

It was her new favorite place to be kissed too...

Not even the sound of a car driving by made them desist. They simply continued, getting more and more lost in the moment. It was quite easy to do so, Donna had already caught then several times snogging and she'd only been there for a couple of weeks so far.

However, there was one thing that did make them stop right now...

"Oi, is that my little niece!?" a man's voice called from the front gate.

The pair flinched at the new voice, Minerva glancing over her shoulder as her mind raced to match the voice with its rightful owner.

"Last time I remember she hated to even be kissed on the cheek!" the voice continued, trying to sound like a responsible adult.

"Uncle Aaron?" Minerva whispered, looking at the Doctor with wide eyes, a smile quickly forming, "Uncle Aaron!" she hopped off the Doctor's lap and ran to meet the man standing midway the front lawn.

Aaron Lozano laughed as he picked up his niece in a big hug, spinning her around, "Minnie mouse!"

"You're here! Oh my god, you're here!" Minerva laughed hysterically, encasing her uncle in a tight hug, not letting go despite being set on her feet, "Uncle Aaron, it's you!"

"Yeah, last time I checked I was still Aaron Lozano!"

"I missed you so much!" Minerva pulled back, getting a good look at her uncle, much like he was to her.

He still looked the same! He had his wavy blonde hair in the same fluffy manner, his chocolate brown eyes big as ever. He was tall, like my mother, and was a bit muscular. He was just the same, same as always, her uncle who understood her better than anyone in her family.

"Uh, well, you've gotten old," he remarked as he took Minerva in.

"Oi! I'm eighteen!" Minerva frowned, Aaron laughed.

"Right, eighteen and a full snogger now," he smirked.

"Oh, someone's been hanging out with Brits," Minerva snapped playfully, hoping to rid herself of her blush fairly fast. She glanced back, the Doctor standing at the porch and leaning against a the wall, "Come on, Martian!" she held out her hand, the man sheepishly coming to take it.

Her uncle had just witnessed them snogging, definitely not the way to make a good impression.

"Doctor," Aaron whispered, sounding fascinated already, "Blimey, you look the exact same."

"Have we met?" the Doctor frowned.

"1969, you spoke baby," Aaron laughed at the memory.

"You remember that?" Minerva blinked, surprised that a two year old manage to remember a small moment like that.

"Snippets by mom and dad made sure to describe it to me in great detail," Aaron nodded and crossed his arms, a pointed look at Minerva, "And dad was very specific on the particular brunette who would not stop crying...because of him, right?"

Minerva sighed and nodded, "I couldn't help it," she leaned on the Doctor's arm, "The Doctor surprised me and I...I lost it."

"Well it was more of an accident that I found him," the Doctor admitted, remembering a feisty two year old trying to steal his banana.

"Right, sorry about that, stealing food was sort of my thing back then," Aaron chuckled as he also remembered that scenario.

"So then all this time you remembered..." Minerva said, working it out mentally as she spoke, "...you knew I'd end up traveling with this man, just like grandma did..."

"And dad," added Aaron, nodding, "It took us some time to figure it out but we did, eventually. Time travel, how else? We all knew you'd end up doing amazing things out in the stars."

"You kept that a secret from me?" Minerva pouted. After her bad life she had as a kid, it would've been really nice to know something as wonderful as the Doctor would show up to keep her moving.

"You know you're not very easy to find," Aaron said to the Doctor, leaving the pair confused for a second.

"You were looking for me?" the Doctor pointed to himself, "I've been looking for you."

"Ever since I was a kid I always wanted to go out and see new places, but when my sister brought Minerva to us for the first time I started remembering a bit of 1969. I asked my parents who told me the entire story. Years ago they'd met a young woman on her birthday, claiming to be...Minerva Souza. They had no doubt the toddler was that woman," Aaron smiled as he gazed at his niece, seeing she was exactly the same as his parents had described her to be, "So then I started doing some research and stumbled across some sites with a recurring alien..." his smile turned into a smirk when he looked at the Doctor, "...whom, I was very shocked to find out, could changes faces. When I found a picture of your current face I showed it to my parents and they recognized you. You were the man that brought their future granddaughter to 1969."

"And you never said," Minerva huffed, still upset.

"I couldn't Minnie-mouse. I'm no time traveler but I was sure that if we were to say something it could change it and neither my parents nor me were having it. So, instead...I set out to find the man in the suit. Bit trickier than I thought it'd be but it did help me live my dream of traveling and find my career, photography!"

"You've been searching for me?" the Doctor still couldn't wrap his head around the idea, "Why?"

"To bring you here of course," Aaron nodded, "My niece had to meet you and I wanted to make sure she did. I was going to find you and bring you to her so you could take her away from this place."

"You did that for me?" Minerva whispered, her eyes becoming watery.

"Of course, I love you Minnie-mouse," Aaron ruffled her hair, "We all do."

"Except my mom and dad," she muttered, looking down.

"You know, I don't think I can talk the same way about Nicolas like I do with Sophia. More than anything, I think his heart has been tainted by Sophia. You can break through to him," he smiled encouragingly at her, but the brunette had fallen sad and silent again.

"C'mon clever girl, I know you can," the Doctor lifted her gaze with a finger under her chin. Aaron wasn't wrong about his brother-in-law...

"You think so?" she whispered, severely doubting she could actually have a real father at this point in her life.

"Shine your big, bright green eyes and sweet smile, you absolutely cannot be denied anything like that."

"Speaking from experience?" Aaron teased, the Doctor heavily sighing while nodding.

"Your niece is just too incredible to deny," the Doctor looked at his clever girl with a smile, "She's amazing..."

"Not as much as you are," Minerva mumbled, getting on her toes to kiss him.

Aaron smiled softly at the pair. A responsible uncle would have pulled the two apart and kept apart and always had them on supervision. But this was what he was waiting for, this is what he went in search of for all his life years. He may have been a toddler when he first met the Doctor, but even from that point he could remember the tall man with the banana had liked the girl with the pink dress. And as he grew up and saw Minerva live out her life in tears and pain with his sister, he knew that only that man, with the suit, could make her happy.

He was very right.

"Aaron? Thanks for the help, mate," another male voice called, with an English accent, "I mean, it's not like you pack heavy or anything, no..."

The couple pulled away to see a younger man, possibly in his twenties, hauling three suitcases in his two hands. He was average height with black curly hair and brown eyes.

"Uncle Aaron, really?" Minerva eyed the suitcases, shaking her head.

"The man carries two suitcases for his Brazilian shirts," the young man mocked, "Then another one for his British pants. I mean, aren't pants just pants despite where they're from?"

Minerva chuckled, "I think they are."

The young man smiled at her, holding his hand out for her, "You must be the famous Minerva Souza, Aaron won't quit talking about you."

"Yikes, that must be annoying," Minerva reached out and shook his hand, "Sorry about that."

"I'll get him back for it later," he shook her hand back.

"Nice to meet you," she smiled and glanced up at the Doctor, seeing his less-than-pleased expression. He was jealous, just like that. She sighed and resolved to end it before anything even happened, "Cody, this is my amazing boyfriend," she gestured to her Martian.

"So you're the famous Doctor," Cody shook his hand, "Gotta say it's an honor to meet you."

The Doctor nodded, feeling slightly less paranoid with the man's words. Still...he was a man and Minerva was awfully beautiful. He couldn't shake the paranoia off completely...

Cody then glanced at Aaron, "So are you gonna go get the rest of those suitcases?"

"That's what I got an assistant for, buddy," Aaron patted his shoulder, "Cody and I are doing a photo sessions for a couple months so we'll be staying in the city. Though for today, I just want to stay with my mom."

"Momma's boy," Minerva teased.

"Shut up, I am your uncle and you will respect me," he wagged a finger.

Minerva rolled her eyes and took the Doctor's hand, "We're gonna go inside and inform them of your arrival."

"No, don't tell her, I want her to be surprised. Last time she heard I was in Brazil."

"Alright, but don't take too long with your suitcases," she warned, looking at Cody, :And if anything is too heavy, then you just chuck at him and come to meet my grandmother."

"What kind of advice is that?" Aaron frowned.

"Good," Cody laughed.

The pair turned around and headed back for the house, the Doctor gripping Minerva's hand unconsciously as his mind drifted to all the men that he had gotten jealous of since he started to fall for Minerva.

"Doctor, really, there's no reason to be jealous," Minerva said.

"Jealous? Who says I'm jealous!?"

"Please don't try to hide it, you're horrible at it," she pointed.

"I can't help it," he huffed, "I get paranoid, alright?"

"Doctor," she cleared her throat as she stepped closer, forcing him to stop at before he went up the stairs while she stood on the porch, for once being the same height, "Who was I just snogging five minutes ago? Hmm? All over my neck?" He looked to the side, however his blush was more than noticeable, "Now, I don't want anyone that isn't my Martian doing that," she draped her arms around his neck, "I really can't imagine it being someone else who's got his lips on mine. I just can't."

"Well let me tell you something, any man would give anything to be able to kiss you," he wrapped his arms around her waist, gently pulling her closer.

"I highly doubt that," she mumbled.

"I mean it, you don't see the looks because you're a woman. There's some men out there that would gobble you up with one look. And I hate them, I hate all men...because they want what I want."

Minerva chuckled, seeing him pout, "You're so dramatic, Martian!" she pecked his lips, "C'mon, we've got to get my grandmother out here so she can see uncle Aaron," she pecked his lips once more but found herself locked into a much bigger kiss, one that she simply could not refuse.

~0~

Minerva absolutely loved seeing her grandmother's expression when she saw Aaron standing at the doorstep. The elderly lady had hugged him for a good five minutes, babbling on about how he was supposed to be in Brazil and whatnot. Aaron just laughed and explained to her his surprise and the job he and Cody were taking for the moment. Isadora had almost been indignant when he asked if he and Cody could stay until they found an apartment to room in. She was his son! By her choice, she would keep him forever in her house!

So the group had taken in the new visitors where Aaron was immediately asked, by a beaming Minerva, to tell them about his recent trips around the world. Minerva explained to the Doctor and Donna that whenever Aaron returned home while she was a kid, he would always tell her about his travels. She just loved to hear about the different cities that her planet had to offer. Now she supposed it was part of Aaron's ploy to get her "ready" for when he found the Doctor for her. She would be more than pleased to actually travel, and in time!

Minerva was still not over the fact that the whole point of her uncle's travels was because of her. He traveled to find the Doctor for her. Of course, like he said, he wanted to travel anyways, even as a kid. But, as he remembered Minerva from 1969, and saw the life she lived with her mother, he had an even bigger reason to start his travels.

Minerva would always remember what he did for her.

Now, the group sat on the living room, Aaron telling them a story of his visit to Rio de Janeiro. Isadora sat beside him on the large couch, Cody to Aaron's left. The Doctor sat on a couch chair near Cody while Donna sat on another couch chair near Isadora. Minerva was returning from her trip to the kitchen, holding a tray of snicker doodles in her hands.

"Mmm, are those cookies I smell?" Aaron paused his story telling to take a long whiff of smell.

"Grandma made them," Minerva explained, setting them on the table.

"I had to make my Minerva feel better somehow," Isadora said, watching Minerva grow quiet as she reached for a cookie.

"Why? What's wrong?" Aaron frowned, also sensing the quick change of attitude from his niece.

Minerva shook her head and walked to the Doctor, taking a seat on his lap for comfort, "My dad is sick," she whispered.

"Nicolas? But the man was always in perfect condition!" Aaron looked to his mother for more explanation.

"They're running tests on him, but for now they just think it's Atherosclerosis," Isadora explained, staring at her granddaughter with sadness.

She didn't even mind that Minerva was currently on a man's lap. She knew how the Doctor made her feel. Whenever Minerva cried, he was there in a heartbeat to make her feel better, and it always worked. She didn't want to admit it, but...she trusted the Doctor with her granddaughter more than she ever would with Sophia, her own daughter, and mother of Minerva. Isadora was glad that, even when she passed away, she would go in peace because there would be someone apart from her son to take care of Minerva.

"But we're all hoping for the best," the Doctor ran a few fingers down and up Minerva's arm, feeling her tense as she silently thought, probably already blaming herself for her father's oncoming illness.

The pair hadn't mentioned what Sophia had said to Minerva when they had called. The Doctor wanted to tell Isadora just how big of a monster her daughter was...but Minerva didn't want to. She didn't want to upset her grandmother and much less cause her to get sick too. So, the Doctor bit his tongue and kept his mouth shut about it, as much as it pained him. He absolutely despised Sophia, he wanted everyone to see who she really was. Absolutely no one could hurt Minerva, not even her mother would be an exception. Minerva was first on everything.

"So, um...Brazil?" Donna turned on her seat to Aaron, hoping to help with Minerva's growing silence, "Rio de Janeiro?"

"Yes, yes, it's lovely right now!" Aaron quickly caught on and continued with his story, "The Carnival is just amazing! Have you ever gone there?" he looked at the pair.

Minerva bit into her cookie, shaking her head without saying a word. The Doctor sighed and answered for her, "No, but I want to bring Minerva there. I think she would love it, right?" he smiled at her, hoping to get just a small one out at least.

"I guess..." she mumbled, shrugging her shoulders.

"I think it would be a good idea," Cody cut in, disliking the way the woman had just shut down all of a sudden. From what Aaron would tell him, the woman was always talking, even as a child, "It's very lively and exciting."

"And the beach? How's the beach?" Donna asked, actually into the idea of visiting Rio de Janeiro, "I always heard they were amazing!"

"Not as best as Acapulco," chipped in Isadora, "Now there's a beach! Absolutely incredible!" she reached for a snicker doodle and munched on one.

"I've got pictures..." Aaron watched Minerva, "...if you want to see some, Minnie-Mouse," he smiled, hoping his nickname he had appropriated for her a toddler would get her to smile.

Minerva shook her head, putting her half-eaten cookie on the table and standing to her feet, "No thank you. I think I need some time to myself. I'll be in my room."

She turned away and walked off, the Doctor almost swearing he had heard her sniffling. She was clearly still upset of her mother's words.

The Doctor stood up and watched after her, "I think I'm going to go talk to her."

"She seems worse than earlier," Donna remarked, "I thought calling her father would make it better."

"Minerva called home?" Isadora blinked, "How'd you manage that?"

"Through hard work," the Doctor sighed, turning to the group.

"What did Nicolas say?"

The Doctor looked around, everyone picking up that something wrong had happened.

"Who answered?" Aaron raised an eyebrow, half guessing the answer.

"Her mother did, didn't she?" Donna asked.

The Doctor didn't want to tell them what Minerva specifically asked him not to, but in this case Donna and Aaron had already figured it out.

"What did that monster say!?" Aaron demanded.

"Aaron!" Isadora scolded.

"What? I'm not going to lie and say my sister is an angel because we all know she's not! She's horrible and I don't understand why! You were such a good mom to us, and even if I don't see myself with my own children I know for a damn fact that I would never treat my children the way Sophia treated Minerva."

Isadora sighed and looked to the side. As much as she couldn't defend Sophia, she was still her daughter and it still hurt to know how bad of a person she turned out to be.

"Doctor," Aaron refocused on the man, "What did my sister say?"

"Let's just say...they disagreed," the Doctor offered, really not wanting to repeat Sophia's words, "Words were said and it didn't help, alright?"

"The relationship between Minerva's parents and hers isn't okay?" Cody asked, though he knew it was a stupid question to ask based off on what Aaron had told him.

"That's a delicate way of putting it," the Doctor muttered, "Look, I gotta go talk to her," he turned and headed for Minerva's room.

"Wait," Cody stopped him, the Doctor turning to see the man on his feet, "Maybe...maybe I can talk to her."

"Excuse me?" the Doctor raised an eyebrow. He already had a certain dislike for Cody just because he was a man and could potentially take Minerva away and now he was asking for him to let he, a stranger, talk to Minerva?

"I don't share a good relationship with my own parents," Cody explained, understanding the Doctor and his surprise. He was a stranger and Minerva had a boyfriend, it could be taken in a different way, "I left home as soon as I turned eighteen.I barely speak to them now and I'm twenty-five. I think I understand Minerva on some level. Can you let me try?"

Well, of course the Doctor's mind screamed 'NO'.

"Yes," the Doctor stepped aside. Cody nodded his thanks and went after Minerva.

"That was awfully big of you," Donna remarked.

Just by the couple weeks she had spent with the pair in the TARDIS she knew the Doctor was very prone of getting jealous of practically any man that wasn't related to Minerva.

"If it helps Minerva, then I'll do anything," was the Doctor's simple reply as he plopped down on his chair.

~0~

Minerva was sitting on the foot of her bed, sniffling to herself as quietly as possible. Now, apart from the news of her father possibly being sick, she had to deal with the new blame being appropriated on her. How could her mother be so cruel?

That was a question she would always ask herself until she died. As far as she could remember, her mother had never showed an ounce of love towards her...and she never knew why. It always led her to ask herself why did her mother choose to birth her if she was only going to suffer. If they had Olivia, the preferred, actually loved, daughter, why bring in a left over like herself?

"Knock, knock," she heard Cody's voice followed by two promptly knocks on the door.

"Cody?" she glanced back, confused. She expected the Doctor to be at the door, and she admitted she wanted him to follow after her so he could comfort her the way he always did.

"I know, I know," Cody walked in, smiling awkwardly, "Probably not the guy you expected, right?"

"Truthfully, yeah," Minerva nodded, glancing behind him in case the Doctor entered.

"I asked the Doctor if I could talk to you first," Cody explained, Minerva's head snapping to him, "I told him I understood what you're going through."

"You...you do?"

"You think your mum and dad don't really love you?" he tried, Minerva nodding silently, "You feel like you're never worthy of their love or them?" again, she nodded, "And you feel like no matter what you, you will never be the daughter they want you to be...or in my case, a son," he sat down beside her, Minerva staring at him with so much shock that it made him chuckle, "That's my life, Minerva."

"I'm...I'm sorry," she said, her head turning down as she fiddled with her fingers on her lap.

"Yeah, I left home when I turned eighteen, right on my birthday."

"Hm, I left when I was fourteen," she confessed, now Cody was utterly shocked. She smiled a little, still keeping her gaze down, "Emancipation."

"Wow, you win," he mumbled, "...ever since I was a kid, I just remember the arguments and lectures my parents would give me."

"Same here," Minerva whispered, wiping some tears off her face.

"They wanted me to be an architect, like my dad, all my life...so when I finally decided what I wanted to be, a photographer...they were less than happy."

Minerva looked up, softly speaking, "Same here. They wanted me to be a lawyer."

"And what did you want to be?"

"No idea," she shrugged, Cody taking a look around her room and seeing the many pictures plastered on the walls.

"Perhaps an artist?" he stood up and went over to a pin board, "Mind you, these are really good."

"Thanks. My mother thought it was a waste of time," Minerva sighed, "She even ripped some up when I was a kid."

"Yeah, my dad broke my camera. It was the first camera I bought with my own money," he shook his head, "Never forgave him for that."

"Do you still talk to them?"

"No, it's been seven years and I don't ever plan on speaking to them again," he turned around, "How long has it been for you?"

"Four years..."

"You're on your way," he sighed, leaning back on the desk.

"What do you do when...when the words of your parents strike you so hard?" she asked, her eyes welling up quick. If he went through the same thing she was going through, then he had to have some way to make the pain just go away.

"Nothing...there's nothing I did that...ever made it okay..." Cody admitted, "...your parents are supposed to love you if you're good. I know I had my fair share of tantrums, but...I don't think it was enough to garner their hatred. I'm their only son, they're supposed to completely spoil me!" he wanted to get her to smile but he utterly failed. He imagined her boyfriend could probably do a much better job at this.

"My mom blames me for my sister's death," Minerva announced, Cody nodding as he already knew that from Aaron but decided not to interrupt and let her speak, "And now...now she's blaming me for my dad's sickness," she starting crying, "And it's not fair!"

"It's okay, it's okay!" he quickly rushed to her side, hugging her as she cried.

"Did they blame you for something like that?"

"Not really...like I said, you utterly win," he sighed.

"What do you do? What do you do to stop all these feelings?" she nearly pleaded for an answer, looking up with a face stained of tears, "Because I'm tired of living like this. The Doctor, he tries to help but...it's not the same. He can't understand me, and...my friend, Donna, the ginger, she can understand but she doesn't have a solution for it either."

"I do what I like to do best. I take photographs. I suppose you can do your pictures. It'll help you remember that they can't tell you who you need to be, an architect, a lawyer...you're Minerva, an artist. Or, a traveler. Whichever you want to be. You just be Minerva."

Minerva stopped her crying, only sniffling as she took long breaths, "Be Minerva?"

"Be Minerva."

"That's a little hard seeing as I come from my dad and mom..."

"So do I," he reminded, "But, just try little by little to make your own life. Don't worry what your mother or father think of you because I bet there's one person you care for more, even above your parents..." he gave her a knowing smile.

She smiled back, wiping her tears off, "My boyfriend."

Cody noticed the immediate shift of emotions from Minerva just by the mention of the man, "Because you know, the way it works, you're supposed to find someone to care for above your parents, above anyone else. That one person you choose to trust with your whole life, the person you decide to marry, to live with, have children with. Because one day, your parents aren't going to be here anymore and it'll just be you. When that happens, because like it or not, it will, it's not going to be so bad because there'll be the man you chose to spend your life with at your side."

Minerva nodded, smiling sadly to herself. Unfortunately for her, while the Doctor could be at her side when she grew older, it wouldn't be the way she wanted it to be. She couldn't have his children, she couldn't exactly marry him either in a proper, human way (the one where they both grew older as was expected). And, she doubted they could even have a romantic relationship in the future. When Kaeya returned, and if the Doctor chose to still be with her, a human, Minerva wouldn't want to be in one with him when she aged. He would be young, well look young, and she would be older. She didn't want to have him tied down to her when she was sixty; an old, wrinkled woman. She couldn't...and she wouldn't.

So, when her parents died, yes the Doctor would be with her...but as a friend. Of course, it'd be the friend she wished she could have as a husband...but it would never happen. That was one part of their relationship that was never really talked about. It was like they were both trying to avoid the inevitable pain they would suffer. Minerva knew she wouldn't want to let go of the Doctor when the time came, when she aged noticeably. She knew that the Doctor, being who he was, would tell her to go and find someone that she "actually deserved". That she should marry a man who could give her the life he couldn't. She couldn't fathom the idea of actually walking down the aisle in a white dress if the Doctor wasn't the one waiting for her at the end of the aisle. She had already made up that decision a long time ago.

If she couldn't have the Doctor, she wouldn't have anyone. She would rather die single, unmarried.

And she was resigned to it. Because, what she lived now was a fantasy, yes, but it was the most wonderful fantasy she could ever live. She liked to think of it as one of those star-crossed relationships that were on television shows. But hers didn't compare to the silly ones in the shows. Hers was even better. She loved this fantasy and she would hang onto it until the very last moment.

So, when her parents died, she would be alone and unmarried. But she would be happy that she got to live the life she wanted to and not the one her parents would've chosen for her.

"I wouldn't worry too much of what your mother says," Cody continued, oblivious to her thoughts, "I'd just draw and draw."

"Thanks Cody," Minerva sighed, "You're not that bad at this talking thing. You've done it before?"

"No, my first try," he chuckled.

"You should be some kind of therapist," if he only knew how much he had just made her think right now.

"Mm, I prefer photography. But you know, just for you, I'll be a therapist," he said, she raising an eyebrow in confusion, "I know we barely know each other, but it looks like I'll be in the city for some time. Anytime you want to talk, I'm here."

"Thank you," she gave a small smile, "Maybe I can get Donna to join us for a little support group."

"That would be nice," he shrugged casually, both of them chuckling afterwards.

"Thank you so much, Cody," she gave him a hug and closed her eyes, hoping they'd dry up before she returned to her Martian.

"You're welcome," Cody rubbed her back, feeling quite content with himself he'd managed to make her happy once more.

The two were so engulfed with their hug to notice the Doctor standing by the doorway, watching them in a sad manner. He could feel his hearts nearly stopping, nearly breaking at the sight. But he wasn't mad...his clever girl had stopped crying, and so quick. He'd only come to see what progress Cody had been making. Apparently, it had been good.

He turned and walked away, the ache of heartbreak taking over his body. He didn't want to admit it but...if there was any man that could possibly make Minerva happy...he'd probably choose Cody. Just with five minutes, Minerva was smiling again and so...close to another man. Cody was young, by the looks of it fun, he traveled just like Minerva loved to do...

He would be perfect.

There were times where the Doctor thought that he and Minerva were just living some star-crossed fantasy story, just like Donna had once mentioned. He and Minerva were two very different people, of different species! But he really fell for her, he couldn't imagine her not with him, in the TARDIS, next stop everywhere. He would love to have that for centuries more.

He knew he should back away, let Cody win Minerva's heart, give her what he himself couldn't. Minerva deserved someone who stay with her forever in a human way, someone who could give her a family. He just knew she would make a tremendous mother. And he could see it, he could picture her with a couple of little toddlers. The little girls having her long, beautiful brown hair and being the little princesses Minerva had been as a child. The boys would be just as adventurous as she was, sassy as she was, always having remarks for everything.

And the thing that broke the Doctor's hearts was that he saw them as their children. The children he wished they could have in some future. He couldn't see her with anyone else...

So what was he supposed to do?

[kylorengarbagedump]

Little Bird: Chapter 23

Read on AO3. Part 22 here. Part 24 here.

Summary: Apparently, you can't get yourself to enjoy a dinner party, even if you're the guest of honor.

Words: 4700

Warnings: egregious dinner party antics, Hux is a bitch, Handmaid AU

Characters: Kylo Ren x Handmaid!Reader

A/N: I've never really written anything like this before. I'm not really sure what I'm doing. This chapter was like PULLING fucking TEETH. Would really love feedback/input/criticism.

Regardless, I hope y'all enjoyed. I am SO HAPPY the Daddy kink was well-received--we're all going to hell, yay!

I always want to stress how grateful I am that I receive the kind of interaction that I do. I feel so lucky and blessed to have folks like y'all. Thank you so much, I love all of you very much. <3 

The longer you sat, the deeper the burn at your backside became. The aloe that Ren had so generously applied had long worn off, at this point, but the real issue was the swelling, the heat, like a bubbling sunburn that had managed to sear itself across your entire ass. How generous of him, too, to supply you with this right before an event that required sitting.

It was only minutes, now, until the guests would arrive, and Emma and Rose were twittering in the kitchen, preparing the finishing touches on the meals. You, Johana, and Kylo Ren sat in the ornate dining room, with its tiered crystal chandelier and wall-to-wall windows that opened out toward the garden. At the long, mahogany dining table, the married couple were appointed at the heads, with you at the center, like an entertainment piece. The table had already been prepared with nine settings. The silence was so thick you could hear your blood in your toes.

Johana sighed. “Only a few people agreed to come, after all, Sir. Very short notice.”

“Mm.” Ren provided no evidence of interest or investment in what she had said.

“You know, Sir,” she said, “I’m doing this for you. For us.”

“How thoughtful of you.” 

“It is, isn’t it?” She sat back in her chair, arms crossed. “If only you could afford me the same grace.” Her eyes laid on you. “Not that it’ll be a problem too much longer, I’m sure.”

Swallowing, you stared at your hands. Ren hadn’t offered you a glance since he’d sat--hadn’t even offered a word when he’d dropped off your clothing at your door. Johana kept sticking you and her husband with sharp, suspicious glares, as if she could smell the sex on you, could see the leather marks on your thighs, could hear the words lingering on your tongue: yes, Daddy.

You pinched your legs together, fighting a shiver, fighting disgust with yourself. Back in reality, your willingness to break for him brought a nauseating chill to your stomach. After all, here you were, ready to perform for his friends, the very men who had shackled you to a dress and womb-service or death. Here you were, obedient and eager, with all of the humanity and agency of a pet, but with a hidden array of tricks that consisted of beg and swallow.

“Dolpheld Mitaka and his Wife have arrived, Ms. Johana.” Emma’s voice snapped you to attention, and you shifted, hoping to ease some of the pain. 

Following Emma’s introduction, a young, boyish man entered, his Wife--a small, timid-looking thing--on his heels. He nodded to Ren, glimpsing you for a brief second before avoiding your gaze, cheeks tinged pink.

Dolpheld focused on Ren, he and his Wife sitting across from you, near Johana. “Uh, sir, your…” 

“Per request of Snoke,” he replied. “I wouldn’t choose to share my table with a Handmaid.”  

Johana snorted, and Ren’s gaze daggered her. She cleared her throat. “Ofkylo plans on staying out of the way, doesn’t she?”

You gazed at your fists as they tensed in your lap--but you nodded. The name Dolpheld was familiar--he’d been the Commander of one of the Handmaids at the Resistance base. A cold rush coated the inside of your chest. You hoped she’d gotten away. Looking at him, though, he seemed harmless, almost pathetic. Hadn’t Ren said a few old men? As for Dolpheld’s Wife--she appeared intent on ignoring your existence entirely, which was fine by you, anyway.

Emma darted in again. “Armitage Hux and his Wife, ma’am.”

Armitage. From behind Emma emerged a stiff, reedy man with coiffed copper hair and an expression that managed to communicate both complete disdain for every living creature and unbearable smugness. His Wife was boxy and brown-haired, the type of person of which nothing notable could be said other than her utter lack of notability. It seemed strange to see these two wallpaper women at the same table as Johana--in role, like them, but in personhood, incongruous. 

“Ren,” said Armitage, the name rolling off of his tongue with hidden mirth. “Mitaka.”

“Hux.” Dolpheld nodded, looking at the table. His Wife appeared similarly occupied. 

Armitage and his Wife sat across from you, too, with Armitage taking a seat next to Ren. You looked between them, wondering if they knew of each other’s dalliances, or if the fact that Commanders brazenly fucked their Handmaids was an accepted fact of Gilead. Though you knew Ofarmitage didn’t just consider her relationship fucking. Horrifically, you felt the same way about yours.

“Imagine my surprise when we were offered a dinner invitation to your home,” Armitage said. “I can’t remember the last time we dined together, Ren.”

“Unsurprising,” replied Ren. “Your memory is frequently faulty.”

“At least my judgement remains intact.” He smirked. “Or did I mishear the reason for the invitation?”

“No, you didn’t, Commander Hux,” said Johana, folding a napkin over her lap. The other Wives looked at her with widened eyes. “We are here to discuss a possible resolution. Once--”

“Ms. Johana!” Emma squawked, for some reason breathless. “Commander Snoke--”

Before Emma could finish, an older man pushed through the threshold, accompanied by a young, blank-faced woman. His head was misshapen, craggy--a scar of war, you presumed, that had grown now into his flesh. One of his eyes bulged precipitously above his cheekbone, the other dug into his skull, the skin of his cheeks stretched like wet linen over his face. He wore a deep yellow suit jacket, threads interlaced with thin strands of red and gold. 

The very second he entered, Ren stood, eyes aimed at the floor, and you blinked, tensing your jaw to keep it from dropping. Armitage followed, and then Dolpheld, their Wives in their shadows as the man meandered his way to the side of the table that you sat on, his Wife next to you. He remained standing, surveying the table--against your better judgement, you met his gaze. A tiny smirk formed on his lips. 

“Good evening, everyone.”

His voice froze your blood. This was the same man from the recording. The man who had spoken to Ben Solo. That man, this man--they were all--

“Commander Snoke,” said Armitage and Ren, in unison. Dolpheld cleared his throat.

“Let’s be seated, shall we?” 

Snoke lowered himself to the table, and the other men mimicked him. The air had thickened to a degree that you found your own chest tightening for the lack of oxygen. Next to you, his Wife was robotic in her focus, her body iron and unmoving. You marveled at her beauty--other than Johana, she was one of the only genuinely pretty Wives you’d seen. Examining her closer, she wasn’t just young, either. She was young. Perhaps not much older than eighteen. The thought made you shudder.

The Marthas swished into the room, doling out salad onto the tiny plates at everyone’s place settings. As they served, Johana straightened, meeting Ren’s gaze from across the table. He was silent.

“Commander Snoke,” she said. “As you know--”

“Kylo Ren,” said Snoke, ignoring Johana completely. She blanched. “Your initiative on the western front brought us another victory. A very cunning move you made, heading off their supply route. Their soldiers were going to starve before they submitted to Gilead forces.” A low, dark chuckle left him. “An excellent maneuver that Armitage could learn from.”

Ren lowered his head, brow cocked. Armitage’s eyes narrowed, and he cut into his salad.

“Speaking of learning,” the redhead said, “Mitaka, I recently learned your Handmaid went missing.”

Dolpheld seemed focused on avoiding any involvement in this conversation. “Uh, yes. Yes, we did… experience that.”

“Strange.” Armitage’s attention flicked from you to your Commander. “Ren, aren’t we here for a similar issue? Your Handmaid going missing?”

Anxiety clogged your throat. You studied your salad as if it had become the most interesting collection of green leaves and croutons you’d ever seen. 

“Well,” said Johana, “not exactly--”

Armitage waved her off. “Right, yes, his suspension, isn’t it? For botching some ability to prevent Resistance interference?” His scrutiny returned to you. “Very foolish of you, Ren. For all we know, she could be with the Resistance now.”

“There was no evidence of any Resistance involvement,” Johana said. “As far as we know, it was a rogue Guardian.” She sliced apart a leaf of lettuce. “Right, Commander?”

Ren’s brow twitched. “Yes.”

“Rogue Guardian,” Armitage mused. “Interesting. Mitaka, didn’t your Handmaid disappear in much the same way? Middle of the day? During daylight? Guardian interference?”

Dolpheld glanced between Ren and Armitage, shrugging. “I suppose so, but the investigation was inconclusive, so--”

“That’s right!” The grin on Armitage’s face could split steel. “The investigation was inconclusive. If only we could’ve gotten more information to help guide us.” He turned to Ren. “Maybe we could talk to that Guardian your Handmaid was found with.”

An image in your mind: pop. Ren’s face was blanker than polished stone.

“Ah, that’s right.” He snapped, feigning a realization. “We can’t. You killed him. Shame, that.” Sighing, he popped a piece of lettuce into his mouth. “Is that type of behavior really something we should be lifting a suspension for?”

“There was good reason my husband acted as he did,” Johana said. “The Guardian had a gun with him.” She stared directly at you. “Isn’t that right?”

Every pair of eyes at the table aimed at you, like you’d tripped a sensor, set off an alarm--or maybe that was the alarm inside of your brain, wailing in panic. It wasn’t like you had to lie, but there was something about being complicit in this game that made your palms sweat.

“That’s… right,” you said. “He. He did have a gun.”

Johana gestured toward you. “The situation was dangerous.”

Armitage chuckled. “Oh, please, every smuggler carries a weapon. What we want to know is if he was part of a larger organization.” His eyes, a roaring seafoam green, bored into you. “There’s a rumor the Angel and Wife he was working for are part of the Resistance.”

The pressure in your throat choked your words. You sought help from Ren, but his stare was directed at Johana--you followed it, meeting her gaze.

“Go on,” she said. “Tell them how you ran.”

Swallowing, you fiddled with your fingers. “I ran of my own volition,” you said. “I asked a Guardian, he said he’d help. That’s it.” You shook your head. “I didn’t meet anyone from the Resistance.”

Johana shrugged, returning to her food. “That’s it, then.”

Armitage took a bite, chewing. After a moment, he frowned. “A Guardian agreed to help you?” he asked. “In exchange for what?”

“You know Handmaids.” Johana’s expression stilled your blood. “They only have a few valuable things to offer.”

Heat rushed you, and you dropped your head, examining your folded hands in your lap. For once, you wished you were wearing your wings so you’d have a better chance to obscure your reddening face. Even if you had been in a position to disagree, you knew that Johana was trying to protect you--if only secondarily to her own interests.

Armitage motioned to you. “Commander Snoke,” he implored, “do you see what we’re keeping in our homes? A Handmaid who offers up her body in exchange to escape Gilead? This is one for the Colonies, at least.”

Your heart stalled, your jaw tightened.

“I don’t think that would be necessary,” Johana replied.

“It very well may be.” He shrugged. “If she allows just anyone to utilize what God has provided for a specific purpose--”

“That’s exactly it, she could be pregnant,” Johana said, “and--”

“It was a momentary lapse in judgement.” Ren finally met your eyes. “Her re-education is progressing smoothly.”

Snoke hummed in thought, glancing between you and your Commander, his gaze peeling you apart--then leaned toward Ren, murmuring something, and Armitage sneered as the two men entered a private conversation. Silence settled over the table; you noticed not a single Wife had taken a bite of her food, other than Johana. Not that you were particularly interested in eating, either. Something about the atmosphere, maybe. Or all the guests who had the power to end your life.

Soon, the Marthas were ushering in the main course: some sort of pork tenderloin, you gathered, with what looked to be a cranberry jam and a smattering of watercress on the side. You sighed. Gilead had done nothing to endear you to vegetables, no matter how frequently you were eating them. 

Across the table, Ren and Snoke were still muttering to each other. Your Commander’s demeanor seemed changed in front of this older man, like a living echo of the person you’d heard on the recording--Ben Solo. Ren had said he was dead, but watching him now, with the slight hunch to his shoulders, the flickering eye contact, the unguarded ache in his pupils, you wondered what dead truly meant in this world. Gilead had blurred the lines of existence to meaningless muddle. After all, you might call yourself dead, too. 

You wondered who Ben Solo might have been. You wondered if who you had been might have liked him. 

“You know, Johana,” said Armitage, eyeing Ren and Snoke, “it’s really too bad that you don’t have gatherings like this more often.” He signaled the rest of the table. “Don’t you all agree?”

The Wives, ever silent, nodded. Dolpheld appeared noncommittal, in agreement only out of what seemed to be obligation. How had someone so doughy and tender earned the rank of Commander?

“Well…” She offered a half-smile. “Never really had an occasion for one as of recent, I supposed.”

“But you and Canady had them all the time, didn’t you?” 

Canady. You remembered that name. Ren had used it during the hushed conversation he and Johana had shared in the hallway. That must have been her husband--the one who had died during the revolution. 

Johana’s back stiffened, adjusting her grip on her fork as she supplied Armitage with a tight grin. “We did,” she said. “Often.”

“I thought so. I remember those parties. Don’t you, Mitaka?”

“I, uh, I guess so.”

“They were lovely,” said Mitaka’s Wife. 

“Oh,” Johana mumbled, “thank you. Yes. We did enjoy them. Those were the days. We were all so young. Parties then were… well… now we have gatherings with multiple courses. All of that.” She paused, swallowing. For a moment, her gaze met yours, then returned to her plate. “God has truly blessed us. We couldn’t ask for more.” 

“Right,” said Armitage. “Must be difficult, though, having to deal with Ren’s behavior.”

At the head of the table, Kylo Ren acted as if Armitage had spent the entire dinner with his mouth sewn shut. He was intent, listening to whatever was being said by Snoke.

“Not that it’s bizarre, considering what he’s done in the past. The equipment ruined, the meetings thrown off-kilter. You remember, don’t you, Mitaka?”

“Oh, I don’t know…”

“I remember,” said Mitaka’s Wife.

Mitaka groaned. “Honey, please--”

“I remember, too,” Armitage’s Wife added.

“Brilliant.” Armitage took a bite of his food, chewing triumphantly. “Can’t imagine what it’s like being married to him. A true, enduring woman, you are.”

Johana’s face paled. She glanced across the table to Ren, who was still engrossed in Snoke’s quiet speech. Her lip trembled, and she shrugged, pushing a piece of pork in her mouth. You watched Armitage, who, despite having picked off half of his plate, was appearing more voracious by the second. 

“Yes,” she said, “well--”

“And Canady was a good man,” Armitage continued. “When was he killed? Three? Four years ago? How long have you been married to Ren?”

Perhaps to anyone who didn’t know her, Johana appeared the picture of composure. But you could see the twitch at her jaw, the frustrated flutter of her nostrils, the whitening of her tiny knuckles. She took another slice of pork, gnashing it with her back molars. 

“Three years this December.”

Armitage nodded. “Of course. That was such a brilliant sacrifice Canady made, really--Ren was right to order it.”

Johana stabbed into her watercress, silent.

“Don’t you think it was noble that Canady--”

“I think Ms. Johana is tired of talking about her deceased husband.” 

The words shocked you as they entered the air. What shocked you more was that they had left your mouth. The rest of the table appeared equally flabbergasted, the scraping of forks and knives halting, the dining room flooded with flummoxed silence. The only people who hadn’t appeared to notice were Snoke and Ren--but for Ren’s part, he’d ceased speaking entirely. You couldn’t hear Snoke’s words over the ringing of your own ears, the deafening thump of your heartbeat at your temples. Johana gazed at you, lips parted, as if she was seeing you for the very first time.

“Is this how you allow your Handmaids to speak to you?” Armitage’s brow was cocked, but he turned to Dolpheld, sparking a new topic. 

You met Johana’s eyes again. Her chest fell in a slow breath, and she broke the stare, turning to her food. Exhaling, you shook out the tremble in your hands, shifting to relieve some of the ache that had built at your backside. As the din in your head dimmed, you glanced at your Commander, wondering what had him so captivated.

“While we’re on the topic, we did find the body on the side of the road, as you described. One bullet hole to the skull.” Snoke dragged his knife through the soft meat on his plate. 

“Yes.” Ren’s gaze was vacant. “Efficient.”

“Well, you always are,” Snoke replied. “And you had an excellent idea to string it up near the border. After even a couple of days, it looks ghoulish.”

Your stomach churned. For some reason, you’d hoped the Resistance had managed to get Poe’s body, bury him properly. The thought of him hanging somewhere along the borders of Gilead, his pretty face pecked apart by birds--if you had been hungry before, you certainly weren’t, now. The fact that it had been your Commander’s idea somehow made it worse.

“It lured out a pocket of Resistance members at the border trying to reclaim the body,” Ren replied. “We killed them all.”

The more words you caught, the sicker you became. You wanted to be thankful that it meant that Finn and Rey were still alive--but the thought of any deliberate death at Ren’s hands was emptying you of gratitude.

“Really?” Snoke said. “You plan to display them, too, I hope.”

“It’s already been completed.” 

At some point, sweat had drenched your back. You desperately needed Ren to stop talking--he spoke as if they’d hung draperies, not bodies. It didn’t seem possible that this was the same man who’d coddled you to his chest, who’d pressed his lips to your forehead, who’d carried you like spun glass to your bedroom. This man, the one who’d rended your ribcage open with a desire to be known, be seen, the one who had, just hours ago, fucked you until you sobbed and smothered your ass in welts--this was the very same man openly admitting to slaughtering and hanging bodies of other humans for the benefit of your own continued enslavement.

You wanted to explode out of your skin. Perhaps what was worse was that, in reality, it did seem possible, and you’d known it was possible--the memory of Poe’s hot blood on your face cemented that. You’d just willed yourself to forget, allowed yourself to drown in the pointless, foolish desire to be your Commander’s equal. To be, in his eyes, alive. As if you could redeem the devil. As if the devil could redeem you.

“You’re managing to accomplish quite a bit despite your suspension,” said Snoke. “I suppose that’s the benefit of managing an independent militia.”

“I hope to prove to you and the Council that my limited access to the main command is unwarranted.”

“Hm.” Snoke sat, considering Ren. “Yet you didn’t seem interested in proving that when you left your post.”

Ren’s jaw stiffened. At the other side of the table, Armitage leaned forward, ear toward Snoke.

“You made an idiotic, irresponsible decision and abandoned your command during a critical period.” Snoke’s voice was low, harsh. “A decision only a child would make.”

Despite this, Kylo Ren said nothing. He stared into his plate.

“Your accomplishments with the Resistance at the border are meaningless--not when we have interference under our own noses of which you inexplicably destroyed our ability to obtain any further knowledge on.” Snoke released an empty laugh. “The more responsibility I award you, the more reckless you become.”

“Commander Snoke, my performance has been exemplary these past three--”

“And for what, Ren?” Snoke’s hand was tight around his knife. “You abdicated your post, left our armies without direction, killed a possible Resistance member, incapacitated our intelligence--for what?” 

Ren’s mouth opened--but Armitage spoke.

“Commander Snoke, I actually heard something interesting.” To your horror, he was staring at you. “There was some report... of an inappropriate relationship between Ren and his Handmaid.”

Your heart disintegrated. Thousands of thoughts stormed your mind at once, chasing breath from your lungs, petrifying your muscles, inspiring sweat at your hairline--what did he know, when did he learn, how long had he sat on this, and who told him--yet through the flurry, there was only one identifiable constant, a bell in your brain. 

Ofarmitage.

“Fascinating.” In a slow, controlled revolution, Snoke turned, leaning past his Wife, his stare spearing you. “Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve heard of such a rumor.” His beady eyes flitted over you. “But for this Handmaid?” He scoffed. “Really.”

“Commander Snoke, you should remember that previous Handmaids in this home were dispatched due to no interference on my husband’s part,” Johana interjected quickly. “It was at my behest.”

Snoke continued to act as if Johana were a tiny blue fly on the wall. “So is this why you did it, Ren?” he said, leveling you with the garrote of his gaze. “All of that for… this?” 

You bit your lip. He had some nerve to allow his voice to drip with that level of disgust. Beside him, Ren was silent, avoiding your eyes. 

“What is it?” Snoke said. “What’s special about her?”

The question made your heart ache with an unarticulated anguish. It wasn’t just about you. It was the sameness you’d found in each other’s eyes, the admiration for the possibility in the stars, the gnawing need to know that wrenched you both from your own pedestals of reason. You’d stirred his relics of doubt, he’d awakened your latent compassion. It wasn’t just you--it was the both of you, fettered to Gilead and each other by the very same chains.  

“Let’s hear from her, then.” Snoke eased forward in his chair, a smug grin tearing the fabric of his face. His knife was still gripped in his palm, resting on his plate. “Why do you think Ren sacrificed all of that just for you, hm?”

You sat, glancing over the table, flesh crawling as every sticky gaze studied you. It was as if black coffee had spilled over your tongue, drying it, the bitterness biting at you from the back of your throat. Gathering courage--or something like it--from the depths of your diaphragm, you leaned over the table, returned Snoke’s stare.

“What does it matter why he sacrificed?” you asked. “Doesn’t my uterus hold enough value to justify it?”  Perhaps that hadn’t been courage. Perhaps it’d been stupidity. 

But what crossed over Snoke’s face wasn’t rage. It was curiosity. “It matters because his motivation for sacrifice determines where his loyalty lies.” His thin lips curled in a grin. “With Gilead? Or with you?”

“So a person can’t sacrifice for a Handmaid without betraying Gilead?”

“No.”

“Then why have Handmaids at all? How else are you populating your country?” Your voice was growing louder than you intended. “If the Commander sacrifices for me, it must be for the value that was given to me by you.”

Ren’s eyes, dark with something unknowable, glimpsed you for a blink. The table was silent. You swallowed. 

“Fascinating,” said Snoke. The knife trembled in his hand, rapping the plate. “Your proposition is that I gave you this value? That it was not ordained by God?”

You nodded. “Why would God give me a mind and tell me not to use it? Why would he give me a body that needed to be controlled?”

“Your error is assuming God gives reasons for anything.” Snoke’s knife rose from the plate, stuck in his quaking fist. 

“Then,” you replied, neck stiff, “it seems that he gives just as many and as valid reasons as you.”

Snoke slammed the knife into the table, a crooked smile on his pale face, Wives recoiling in squeals, except for his own, who remained perfectly porcelain next to you. Johana’s arms snapped to her sides--both you and her sought out Ren, who sat. And did nothing. Your hands began to quiver. What had happened to you will be safe?

“Precocious little thing you have here, isn’t she, Ren?” Snoke’s arm shot out, his gnarled hand snatching your chin. “What exactly have you been teaching her during these re-education sessions?” With surprising strength, he yanked you forward onto the table. The texture of his skin was like papyrus. “Can you tell me what you’ve learned?”

You leered at Ren, internally begging him to see you. His eyes were distant, focused on the wall. “Obedience,” you said. “Honesty.”

“Seems you could still use a bit of humility.” He turned back to Ren. “What do you think, my boy? Christine is new to the home, but we could always use a Handmaid.” The bones in his fingers crushed your chin. “Maybe I could take her off of your hands for a month.”

Ren’s eye twitched. 

“Commander Snoke, please excuse me.” Johana’s voice was followed by the release of his grasp as she wrenched his arm down, pulling you out of your chair. “I must admit that I provided her with a little medication before dinner for nausea. I think it must be getting to her.”

“Nausea medication.” Snoke scanned you like you were meat. “For what?”

“I told you that she might be pregnant, sir.” She was still ushering you out of the room, her little fingers manacles around your wrist. “I’m going to get her to bed. Please, please excuse her behavior. She’s never like this.”

“Never,” Ren said, finally exercising his mouth for something other than looking fuckable. He met your eyes, and you glared at him, internally cursing him, cursing yourself for trusting him.

Johana rushed you through the darkened halls, her hands urging you forward, mumbling under her breath as she whisked you up the stairs and into your bedroom. When you crossed the threshold, she nearly shoved you onto your bed, gasping, sweat decorating her forehead. Baby hairs had sprung free from her braids, curling at her nape, at her temples. She examined you, shaking her head.

“Are you an idiot?” she said. “Do you have a deathwish?”

You shook your head. “No, Ms. Johana--”

“Oh, don’t Ms. Johana me,” she said, swatting at you from a distance. “You know exactly what you were doing down there. Now we’re lucky if the Commander ever gets his suspension lifted. He’s supposed to be re-educating you.”

“Well…” You shifted, fighting the urge to seethe at the scrape of the mattress on your ass. “He is…”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure.” Sighing, she wiped her palms on her dress, smoothing over the wild bits of her hair. She shook her head. “Thank you, by the way. For what you did.”

“Oh.” Blood rushed your cheeks. “Well, Armitage seems like a jackass.”

“Oh, Lord,” she said, “you don’t even know the half of it. He and the Commander used to...” She stopped herself, cast her eyes over you, reminding herself of your role, and cleared her throat. “Look. Don’t say anything else. Don’t do anything else. Just stay up here for the rest of the night. I’ll handle this.” She turned, shutting the door behind her--but before it closed, she added, “Goodnight.”

You laid back on your bed, deflated. “Goodnight, Johana.”

[ladywinterwitch]

Dead Girl Walking

Pairing: Sebastian Stan x Actress! Reader  (Teather AU)

Summary: The reader is the sobstitute in a off-Broadway production for the Musical Heathers. The female lead can’t do the show, so she gets called in her place where she’ll met the male lead, a charming blue eyed man.

Warnings: musicals, cursing, mentions of smut, mentions of drugs, making out, Seb’s a little minx, other people from the Marvel cast are in here.

Word Count: 5007 (long AF)

A/n: Okay so the idea obviously came to me when I was listening to the song Dead girl walking from the off-bway musical Heathers. It’s my favorite song from the musical and where I find it really enjoyable and funny to listen to, it made me wonder how two actors would be dealing with the performace which is A LOT. I recommend you to see this video if you want to understand better how the dynamic works and to listen to the song.

The songs mentioned in order are Beautiful, Candy Store, Freeze Your Brain, Big Fun, Dead Girl Walking and Seventeen (reprise) 

ps: Yes, that’s an actual gif from the show

                                                (gif not mine)

It was a normal day, calm, average. You woke up, read a few times a script for a new audition, went out for lunch with your best friend, came home and started to read some pages of your last purchase, Stephen King’s Gerald’s game.

Now you were chilling on your sofa, with your cat sleeping near your feet, when suddenly the cellphone rang, scaring the shit out of you.

You jumped a little scaring off your pet which ran away. You sighed and streched to reach your phone on glass coffe table in front of you. The number was unknown, but you answer anyway.

-Hello?- 

-Y/n? Thank God, that’s the right number.- You recognized the voice of the director of the theatrical show you auditioned for, Heathers. Unfortunately you didn’t get the part, but you were called back to be a reserve for the main role.

-Theresa? Is everything all right?- you asked, sitting straight and putting your legs down the sofa, two of your fingers used as bookmark.

-Yeah it’s just, you got anything planned tonight? Or, well, right now?- the woman asked a little nervous. You could hear noise in the background.

-No, no. Absolutley nothing, uhm, why?- you basically jumped up.

-Perfect. Then we’ll wait for you at the theatre in like, ten minutes, yeah? See you.- Before you could ask anything else, she hang up. 

-Fuck.- you cursed loudly, literally throwing the book on the table and running to your bedroom. How the hell were you supposed to be ready and get there in ten minutes, when you were in your pajamas, had messy hair and didn’t have a bit of make up on? 

You think quickly and take from the wardrobe a military green dress and a pair of heel boots. Comfortable and quick, but still presentable. Then you rushed to the bathroom, brushed your theeth and your hair to make them look at least deacent. You decided to stuff into your bag you mascara and a dusty pink nude lipstick and you went to your car. You had already put on the musical’s playlist, listening to it while you drove there, just in case.

-

You arrived some minutes later, parked the car in a miracolously free spot and went inside. You entered the stage room and saw that the cast was rehearsing the song “big fun”. Theresa, which was at her director spot under the stage, turned around and when she saw you she motioned for you to come closer. You did, while the others continued to perform.

-I’m sorry, I’m a little late.- you apologized keeping your voice low. She shook her head.

-Don’t worry, our JD hasn’t arrived either.- she said with an hint of irritation, referring to the leading male part. She sighed recomposing herself.

-You can already imagine why I’ve called you, but still. Our actress for Veronica just broke her ankle, so she won’t be able to perform for a while. Are you still available? Tell me right away because you either would have to jump right on the stage and reharse all day until tonight or I’ll have to call reserve number three, which to be honest I wouldn’t be really thrilled to do.- she askedlike someone who definetly didn’t have time to lose.

You were in seventh heaven. You wanted that part so bad. You didn’t have a long resumee yet, and a show so popular like Heathers would’ve opened many doors to you as well as helping to make yourself know to the public. For a moment you didn’t even realized what she had just said. She gave you a side eye and you suddenly came back to your senses.

-Yes!- you said a little too loud, gaining a few eyes from the crew in the pit, but not from the cast on stage who were still singing. You calmed down a bit, before widening your eyes.

-Wait, you said tonight?- Theresa checked her phone while answering with a ‘yes’. You felt stupid for forgetting that.

-Tonight’s the premiere, honey. C'mon now, get on the stage, you have to rehearse and meet the cast.- you did as you were told, going up the stage. The guys were dressed with their own clothes and a man was on the piano. They were just singing and not doing the whole thing, which worried you a little, despite the fact that you knew all the choreographies and lyrics thanks to the rehearsals you did with the ‘backup’ cast. So you didn’t knew anyone from the actual one.

-Guys, we have our Veronica.- you head a few ‘thanks God’ and sighs of relief. 

-Five minutes break then we resume.- she clasped her hands going off the stage to make a call. A little group of people came to you. There were two blonde, fair skinned girls and one with dark curly hair and dark skin.

-Hey, I’m Scarlett, I play Heather Chandler. Those are Elizabeth and Tessa, and they play Heather McNamara and Heather Duke. Nice to meet you..?- she efficiently introduced herself and the other two girls with enthusiasm. You smiled at them, waving slightly.

-Y/n. And well, you already know I’ll be Veronica Sawyer.- you chuckle a little and they smiled. Then two guys joined you introducing themselves as Chris and Anthony, which respectively play Kurt and Ram, the two stereotypical frat boy douchebags. But they were all but that, instead they were both quite attractive and funny, and nice above all.

Then Hayley, a nice british girl, introduced herself too and said she was going to play Martha. You honestly could’ve never pictured her as a stereotyped loser with a few extra punds like the character. She was too pretty and definetly not fat. She had curves and she was stunning. But you knew that the voice was the main requirement to be choosed in this type of castings so you imagined that that was the reason they choosed her. Also, the make up would’ve done the rest.

The director interrupeted your conversation saying that it was time to resume the reharsals, so you all got in position, this time adding the dancing to the singing.

-

You started with the song “beautiful”, then the Heathers trio sang “candy store” and so on, until you got to your personal favorite, “Dead girl walking”. It had gone all pretty smoothly, the director intervening a few times to give advices and correct something.

-Okay y/n, you’re on your own now, I’ll sing for JD. Start at the note.- the piano man said and you nodded, clearing your throat slightly to prepare yourself. He started to play and on the right timing you began to sing, standing next to him since your partner wasn’t there to perform and doing it on your own would’ve been kinda awkward.

You performed beautifully and at the end the crew even clapped. You knew that was one of the hardest songs, so you felt a pinch of pride at their reaction.You blushed a smiled grateful.

-I see you found my new partner in crime.- you heard a deep, amused, voice coming from behind you. You and the rest of the cast turned around. A guy was standing on the door jamb with a smirk. He was tall, had brown hair, a little long just under his ears, and they were pulled back. He was probably the most attractive guy you’ve ever seen.

-What an honor for you to join us mortals. And you guessed right, Sebastian. Y/n will be your Veronica. Probably for the rest of the plays.- Theresa said shocking you. Your head snapped towards her which was looking at you with a grin. You smiled widely, a hand covering your mouth from the surprise.

-What about the other girl?- you asked walking to her. She shrugged.

-We don’t know when she will be able to walk and dance again, plus, your talent is pretty much the same. Only you’re nicer.- she confessed, you shook your head a bit in disbelief and gave her a hug.

-Thankyou, that’s an honor.- you thanked her sincerely. She nodded and tilted her head to the side.

-Don’t thank me, thank your preparation. Now go meet your partner. He’s a bit presumptuos, but he’s good deep inside.- 

You left her with the some other cast member and got closer to the group that surrounded Sebastian. Chris saw you coming and smiled.

-Hey y/n, congrats. We’re happy you’re going to stay with us.- you laugh a bit.

-Thankyou Chris, I still don’t realize it.- 

-Aw c’mon, you deserve it. In any case, we’ll leave you talk, from Veronica to JD.- Tessa held your arm for a second before going away with the rest of the people.

At that point you were left alone with Sebastian. You felt a bit intimidated for some reason. You didn’t know if was for his confident behaviour or the amused look that he was giving you.

-Well, hello there.- he clearly checked you out, keeping his smirk. You understood that he didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, it was just his way to be friendly.

-Hi.- you said a bit embarassed. 

-I would say congratulations, but it would be probably the tenth time, so I’ll just settle with nice to meet you.- he offered his hand and you shook it a few times, a lopsided smile on your lips.

-Likewise.- he didn’t take his eyes off of you. Before you could talk again, one of the producers spoke to everyone.

-All right folks, it’s time to get ready. The people will arrive in two hours and the stage must be prepared. To the changing rooms.- Your eyes widened and your heart started to race.

-Hey now, don’t panic. You were amazing earlier. Just take a deep breath. It’s time to get ready. It’s going to be alright.- he spoke in a reassuring tone that made you automathically smile a little. He started to walk away, then turned back for a split second.

-Well, actually maybe a few drops of alchol would help, just in case.- you laughed and he winked at you.

-

You shared the room with the four girls. It was a bit chaotic, but everyone did their thing professionally and without losing time. After a good forty-five minutes of make up, which was included: foundation, mascara, eyeliner, blush, and a pale cherry lipstick. The red lipstick was actually a tint, because you would have to kiss a lot and certainly there wouldn’t have been time to clean the mess and re-apply it over and over.

 The rest of the time was left for the hair to get done. First they tied up your hair with a few bobby pins, then applied a bald cap fixing it, and last but not least, they slipped on a raven black, shoulder lenght wig on your head. The hairstylist started to curl the black locks in loose curls at the tips. In the mean time the make up artist gave the last touches to the make up and then applied the tiny mic at the top of your forehead. applying some foundation to try to blend it better with your skin tone. 

During all the process you talked and had fun with the girls. You found out that Scarlett was dating Chris, that Tessa was excited because her new girlfriend would’ve been here to see her perform, that Hayley was originally from London but came to New York because her dream was to be on Broadway and that Lizzie was from a family of actors but that she was the only one who sang.

When the hairstylist had finished curling and styling the wig, she applied a blue hairband with a very simple knot on the right side.

Lastly, it was time to get dressed. You thanked God when you finally stood up from the make up chair, you couldn’t take to be seated anymore. The costume designer took yout plastic covered costume from the trolley hanger and uncovered it. 

-Tak off the robe, please.- the lady asked you nicely.

-Sure.- you responded right away taking it off. She passed to you a blue lacy bra and you rose an eyebrow. She shrugged.

-You know, that scene.- she responded, and you understood right away. She covered you with a jacket and you took off your current bra putting on the blue one. It was a bit tight, but it wasn’t uncomfortable thankfully. Then she helped you put on the rest of the costume which consisted in a plain white shirt, an electric blue elegant jacket, a light grey pleated mini skirt which barely arrived at your mid-thigh, a pair of white parisian stockings that reached just above your knees, and last but not least a pair of black heels. Not too high, thankfully.

You heard a whistle and turned your head. The girls were all ready except for Hayley which was still getting her, probably fifth, layer of clothes fixed. Scarlett wore red, Tessa green and Lizzie yellow, as their characters. They looked stunning.

-Look who’s gonna kick all asses tonight.- Tessa said. You all laughed. The costume designer helped you fit into a loose wool pullover with some ygly designs on it, then a scarf and an equally loose pair of brown sweatpants above your current costume. You started to feel a bit hot, but your told yourself that it was just for a few minutes of the first song.

-You don’t look bad yourself.- you talked back. Then there was a knock on the door.

-Girls, it’s time. Y/n on stage in ten.- a member of the crew opened the door and then quickly went away.

You breathed in and out to calm yourself down while you and the girls went to the backstage.

-So, all here? Good, good. So, just a few words.- Theresa spoke and you felt a hand on the small of your back. You tought that it was one of the girls, but you couldn’t be more wrong. You looked at your side, and got face to face with an incredibly sharp jawline. You turned back to look at Theresa, not wanting to embarass yourself, even if Sebastian’s touch was making you freak out a little.

-We worked very hard to get at this point. So behave and don’t screw up, kids. Love you all! And break a leg!-

A few seconds later you and the cast got called for the first song, 'beautiful’.

-See you later.- a shiver ran down your spine when he whispered in your ear. You looked at him. He had his hair back, just like before. He was now wearing combat boots, black jeans, a black t-shirt and a black long coat. And a smirk was painted on his face. The perfect Jason Dean.

You hated yourself for letting him have this effect on you, so you got your shit together and smiled seductively, gazing him straight in the eyes.

-Later, bad boy.- you teased referring to his role. had just a flash of his amused expression before walking away. You got on stage and began to sing.

- September 1st 1989. Dear diary…-  at first you were alone on stage, then some extras joined you, then Ram got introduced.

Anthony wore a pair of blue jeans, a white t-shirt, nikies and a red and white bomber jacket with a big W on the left side. He hit the prop lunch tray you were holding with a fakely innocent ‘oops’.

-Ram Sweeney, third year as linebacker. And 8th year of smacking lunch trays and being a huge dick.- you talked to the audience as planned with an annoyed tone.

-What did you say to me, skank?- he got closer, menacing. You jumped a bit and put on a scared face.

-Aagh! Nothing.- you responded quickly. You sang a few words of the chorus and then Hayley got on stage. She was almost make up-less and with some baggy and pastel colour clothes, glasses and and ugly liliac t-shirt with an unicorn at the front which could’ve easily made anyone at least two sizes bigger. She was almost unrecognizable.

-Martha Dunstock. My best friend since diapers.- you talked again to the audience, then to Hayley. 

-We on for movie night?- she replaced her british accent with the american one and pitched her voice a bit.

-Yeah! You’re on Jiffy Pop detail.- 

-I rented the princess bride.- she responded timidly. You laughed slightly raising your eyebrows.

-Ooh! Again? Wait, don’t you have it memorized by now?- you cross your arms against your chest, listening.

-What can I say, I’m a sucker for a happy ending.- she answered sadly. Then Chris came running from the right part of the backstage, and smacked Hayley’s prop lunch tray just like Anthony, and like him he was dressed with the same pants, shoes and bomber jacket except for his shirt that was grey. 

-Martha Dumptruck! Wide load, aah!- he screamed mockingly.

- Kurt Kelly, quarterback. He is the smartest guy on the football team, which is kind of like being the tallest dwarf.- you addressed the audience again, gaining a chuckle. Then you returned to spoke to Chris.

-Hey! Pick that up! Right now.- you ordered loudly. 

-I’m sorry, are you actually talking to me?- lucky enough that you knew that he wasn’t a real douche, because at this point you would’ve already slapped him. You noted to make Chris compliments later.

-Yes, I am. I want to know what gives you the right to pick on my friend. You’re a high school has-been waiting to happen, a future gas station attendant.- you said with the most insulting tone you could master. He furruwed his brows and narrowed his eyes a bit, looking down at you. 

-You have a zit right there.- he states. All the extras laugh out loud and you all resume to sing. 

Then after a brief instrumental pause everyone but you start to chant softly the name ‘Heather’. Scarlett, Tessa and Lizzie walk slowly on stage, almost in slow motion.

-And then there’s the Heathers. They float above it all.- you start to talk to the public as a narrator while you introduce them one by one. 

-Heather McNamara, head cheerleader. Her dad is loaded, he sells engagement rings.- the spotlight is on Lizzie, then it shifts to Tessa. 

-Heather Duke, runs the yearbook. No discernable personality, but her mom did pay for implants.- you continue, then do a shot pause and the light shifts on Scarlett, which was in the middle. Their costumes were basically the same: very short mini skirt, a white shirt underneath an elegant short jacket, parisian white stockings that reached above the knee and black high heels. The only differecies were the colours, yellow, green and lastly red. 

-And Heather Chandler, the almighty. She is a mythic bitch.- the music gets a bit faster while you keep going. Another piece of song goes on and you get introduced to the Heathers, you ask them to sit at their table so that no one could pick on you and in the end they accept and decide to transform you. So while another chourus goes on, you four get behind the scenes and the costume designer is quickly at your side, helping you to take off the scar, pants, pullover and to put on the heels, fix any eventual crease and in the end she brushed a bit the wig while you put on a rosy lipstick. Just in time, you go back on stage after Scarlett, Tessa and Lizzie.

The song ends and there’s a little banter between you and them which want Veronica to give Martha a fake love letter form Ram to bully her. You refuse and they get angry, which leads to their song.

After another song, finally is JD’s turn to be introduced. He and Veronica meet in a gorcery shop and you start to eat some red licorice while he was drinking a frozen slushie. He looked charming. You were also having a lot of fun, which was ideal for your chemistry. A few lines later he began to sing.

-I’ve been through ten high schools, they start to get blurry. No point in planting roots ‘cause you’re gone in a hurry. My dad keeps two suitcases packed in the den, so it’s only a matter of when.- he begins, and boy, was he talented. You smiled at him, not only because you felt like it, but also because it was in the script. 

-Freeze your brain, suck on that straw get lost in the pain. Happiness comes when everything numbs, who needs cocaine?- he sang a few words, then came back to talking. 

-Care for a hit?- he raised the plastic glass, pointing the straw towards you.

-Does your mommy know you eat all that crap?- you smirked teasingly. He tilted his head to the side, raising his eyebrows.

-Not anymore.- he resumed singing along with the music. -When mom was alive, we lived half way normal, now it’s just me and my dad, we’re less formal. I’ve learned to cook pasta, learned to pay rent, learned the world doesn’t owe you a cent.- the note got a bit high and his voice changed in a more teasing tone. 

-You’re planning your future, Veronica Sawyer. You’ll go to some college and marry a lawyer. But the sky’s gonna hurt when it falls, so you better start building some walls.- he sings the chorus towards the audience, then the song ends, and on the last note he snaps his head towards you, his arm stretched offering you the slushie.

-Try it.- the public applaudes and the lights go off, giving you the time to prepare for the next song. It’s a very crowded and messy song, set in a house party. At some point you refuse to obey Scarlett’s Heather Chandler and she says that you’re over. You go away from the party feeling lost. The song ends and the lights go off to give the time to the everyone in the cast to get away.

You were slightly getting more and more nervous for the next song, which woul’ve been a lot more challenging, both to sing and perform, considering that you had to basically ride Sebastian in front of the audience.

You were left alone on stage, if you didn’t consider Sebastian pretending to sleep on the higher stage behind you on a mattress.

-The demon queen of high school has decreed it. She says Monday, 8 am I will be deleted.- you start, the music fastening a little. -They’ll hunt me down in study hall Stuff and mount me on the wall. Thirty hours to live, how shall I spend them?- You walked near the lockers, your voice dripping worry.

-I don’t have to stay and die like cattle,I could change my name and ride up to Seattle. But I don’t own a motorbike.- you stopped suddenly, a lopsided smile sppearing on your face -Wait.- you looked at the audience.

-Here’s an option that I like. Spend these thirty hours getting freaky!- you hit the fist high note, pointing at Sebastian’s, fake, sleeping figure.

-Yeah! I need it hard, I’m a dead girl walking! I’m in your yard, I’m a dead girl walking! Before they punch my clock, I’m snapping off your window lock. Got no time to knock! I’m a dead girl walking..- the line getting softer.

You went up the stairs to the upper stage and walked towards him. He opened his eyes and sit up, straddled.

-Veronica! What’re you doing in my room?- he exclaims confused. You went closer and he got on his feet. Now he didn’t have shoes, had a pair of white boxers and a white tank top.

-Shh...- you put a finger in front of your mouth, shushing him seductively. -Sorry but I really had to wake you. See, I decided I must ride you 'til I break you ,'cause Heather says I got to go. You’re my last meal on death row, so shut your mouth and lose them tighty whiteys!- you start with a sweet tone that goes higher and stronger ‘til you hit the last note. You pointed at his boxers.

-Come on! Tonight I’m yours, I’m your dead girl walking! Get on all fours! Kiss this dead girl walking!- You pushed his shoulders with your hands until he got on his knees in front of you. The public laughed slightly.

He looked up at you, starting to caress your tighs with his surprisingly soft hands. They were going up and up, until he reached your ass cheeks. He wasn’t taking his gaze away from yours.

-Let’s go, you know the drillI. I’m hot, and pissed, and on the pill.- you snapped your head towards the audience, raising an eyebrow, gaining a chuckle. Then you returned your attention to Sebastian. -Bow down to the will-Of a dead girl walking!-

You both got on all fours and you gave him a little push to make him sit back, and crawled between his legs. 

-And you know, you know, you know. It’s 'cause you’re beautiful, you say you’re numb inside, but I can’t agree.-  You changed tone and got sweet, placing a hand on his heart. -So the world’s unfair? Keep it locked out there! In here it’s beautiful, let’s make this beautiful!-  

He looked at you and smiled, then exclaimed  -That works for me!- 

An instrumental moment began, and you both knew what would’ve come next. So you just did it, without thinking too much. He cupped your cheeks and forcefully pulled you to him, kissing you. You responded right away, trying to think straight and follow the script you started to take off your jacket and then his t-shirt, leaving him in his underwear. If your faces weren’t stuck together you woul’ve probably been jaw dropping at his tanned and muscular figure, but there wasn’t time for that. You pulled away and started to sing again.

-Yeah! Full steam ahead,take this dead girl walking!-

-How’d you find my address?- he asked scared. The public laughed.

-Let’s break the bed! Rock this dead girl walking!- you ignored him.

-I think you tore my mattress!- again, the crowd laughed.

-No sleep tonight for you, Better chug that Mountain Dew! Get your ass in gear, make this whole town disappear!- you motioned a ripping movement with your arms and hands. 

-Okay, okay!- he gave up, still scared.

You got on his lap, your legs on each side of his hips. The only thing that separated your intimate parts were your panties and his boxers, but it wansn’t actually enough.

-Slap me, pull my hair, touch me there, and there , and there and no more talking! Love this dead girl walking!- you hit another high note. This moment should’ve been arranged between you two before, like every performer ever does when he had to play scenes like that, but you had to improvise now.

It all happened rather quickly: He gave you a not-so-light spank on the butt, then put his hand in your hair and gently pulled to expose your neck, to the first 'there’ he cupped your breasts, then your ass and at the last one he tore open your shirt, that thankfully had clasp buttons and not normal ones.

In the end your lace covered breasts were exposed to him. You didn’t even had the time to blush, 'cause you started to ride his lap automatically following the script. He helped your movement with his hands on your hips.

-Love this dead girl walking!- you sang.

-Yeah!- you said together. -Yeah!- thrust -Yeah!- again.

-Ow!- he cried when you grazed on his neck with your teeth as you were planned to do, and then one last harsh thrust.

-Yeah!- you hit the highest note and the song ended. The audience cheered as the lights went down. You and him wnr behind the scenes while the crew collected the clothes and came back to the backstage, you didn’t dare to look at him as you both were getting dressed again with the help of the assistants.

-

The rest of the show went perfectly, even if you had a little bit of trouble looking in Sebastian’s eyes after that song. After the ’Seventeen’ reprise the show ended. You all came back on stage for the salute, and after that you went straight to the dressing room to change.

Scarlett was kind enought to let you borrow one of the two dresses she brought from home for the after party. You choose the first, which was mid-tigh, rose gold and sparkly, and had a collar to which the spaghetti straps were attached, leaving the back bare til the lower part. And abviously high heels. You fixed your make up and put on a quite deep shade of pink on the lips, then you were ready.

The girls continued to tease you about Sebastian. They haven’t seen the performance really well, but they did see the faces of you both when you came back to dress up. And that was enough. You shushed them while finishing to fix your now wig-free hair.

You arrived and many poeple made theri congratulations and compliments on your performance. Then you went outside to take a bit of air, your champagne in your hands.

-Hey. Nice play up there.-  you had learned to recognize that voice by now. You turned around. He was wearing a suit, the first few buttons of his white shirt unbuttoned.

-You weren’t that bad yourself.- you smiled briefly. He inched closer and whispered to your ear.

-Y'know it was a miracle that I didn’t get hard on the last bit. Your pussy grinding against my cock like your life depended on it.- you blushed from head to toe. You felt fire on your cheeks and not only there, if you’d had to be honest.

-And I know you did enjoy that too. The little wet spot on my boxers is proof. Am I wrong, babygirl?- he asked, his voice like velvet. You were a bit taken aback, but finally decided to do something. Fuck it.

-No.- you answered. The courage, didn’t even know where that came from. All that you knew, was that in that exact moment his lips were on yours, his hands on your waist and yours on his chest, leaving the glass to fall to the ground.

Someone must’ve heard that, 'cause Chris went outside to check and found the two of you quite occupied. He smirked and closed the door, going to Anthony to retrieve those twenty dollars they bet on you two.

This was a bit of an experiment. I really like Broadway songs and this looked like fun to write, so I did it. Obviously the musical’s plot, characters and lyrics do NOT belong to me in this case. Hope you liked it ;)

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Winter Fest Day 14: Star

It’s Lan Zhan first time experiencing a Jiang Christmas.

Lan Zhan tried not to give himself over to hyperbolic statements, but he considered it more of an observable fact that the backyard of the Jiang vacation home, Lotus Pier, could be seen from space. He felt his statement accurate because of the sheer amount of lights. From all the lights wrapped around the property’s outdoor evergreens (he was not aware that was a thing for personal homes this time of year), to the near forest of inflatable Christmas yard decor (each with their own lights), the tennis court turned into some facsimile of an ice rink also with bright lights, music, singing penguins, and a fake snow machine.

That didn’t even account for the inside of the house.

He couldn’t imagine how much energy they were wasting. Or how no one had complained about the light pollution in this very exclusive neighborhood on Martha’s Vineyard.

Of course, Lan Zhan couldn’t imagine anyone complaining about Madame Yu to her face and surviving unscathed for very long.

“We have solar panels,” Wei Ying said, wrapping his arms around his waist as they stood looking at the property. “And Uncle is looking for a company to invest in for supplying wind energy.”

He nodded. That was good. They were still using enough power to run a small town, but at least there were solar panels. He was a guest in this home, it wasn’t his place to criticize their traditions or decorating styles or drain on the environment.

“It’s an eyesore,” Wei Ying said. “You can say it. You won’t, but you can. The younger cousins love it though. Madame Yu can’t decorate like this back in Boston, so she overcompensates here.”

“Yes,” he said. There was no point in lying.

Two hours here and he could honestly say he preferred their medium-sized fake tree and lights that didn’t blink in obnoxious patterns and the more classic--Jiang Cheng called it vintage--holiday decor of their apartment back in Cambridge. And how now also understood why Wei Ying, usually the first to gravitate towards things which light up and made noise, preferred what could only be termed ‘classier’ Christmas decor. How could he not, growing up with the spectacle before them.

It was just all too bright and too shiny and too much.

He could only hope their room here, which was still in the process of ‘getting decorated’ didn’t have its own army of singing, dancing, santa-hat-wearing, jingle-bell shaking anything.

“I love you,” Wei Ying said, pressing a series of soft kisses to his nose and cheek.

“I love you too,” he said.

He turned his eyes towards the beachfront part of the property where everything remained untouched by the excess on the other side. It allowed him to breathe and to focus and to try and prepare himself for whatever came next.

**********

The bells in the hallway played music every single time someone walk under them. There were caroling floor mats scattered throughout the house. Mistletoe hung from nearly every available surface (to be fair and honest, he didn’t mind Wei Ying using this to their advantage). The back parlor had an entire stage of animatronic singing polar bears. The basement was dressed up to look like a miniature indoor version of a Dickensian Christmas Village. Even the bathrooms hadn’t escaped Madame Yu’s holiday wrath. Something felt wrong about a toilet seat cover with Rudolph's face on it and at tissue cover on top of the toilet tank with a snowman staring right at him as he stood there. And, of course, each bedroom had their own themed Christmas tree. Lan Zhan had no idea Coca-Cola had that many tree ornaments and yet the one in his bedroom for the next two weeks was proof they very much did.

And then there was the star on the main Christmas tree.

Madame Yu couldn’t have a standard tree topper of course, not for the tree most of the Yus and all the Jiangs saw and stood in front of to take various family portraits throughout the holiday season. No, no normal star would do for photos that would be shared across social media and possibly published in newspapers and magazines. She could’ve gone with the large Moravian star that hung near the backdoor, but no, Madame Yu had found something else entirely. Something Lan Zhan didn’t even know existed until today.

The tree topper, in addition to being a very large star, had an attachment which allowed Santa and his sleigh and his reindeer to ‘fly’ around the top of the tree in constant rotating circles.

The tree topper was nothing compared to the one piece of Madame Yu’s decor he truly despised. In truth, it was a delight to see the smaller cousins in awe over the tree topper. And he supposed, anything on top of such a large tree had to be large and obvious and eye-catching, if only to balance out its sheer size. The tree topper could be excused, this though? This could not.

Lan Zhan thought he’d prepared himself well for this trip. He’d heeded all of Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng’s warnings. He’d packed ear plugs and a sleeping mask per Jiang Yanli’s advice. He’d watched as many holiday films as he could find, including borrowing some of Huaisang’s extensive Hallmark Christmas Films collection.

Nothing had prepared him for the pure creepiness of the infamous Elf on a Shelf. Or Elves on all the Shelves and in the trees, in the corners of rooms, on top of the fridge. Everywhere. Their beady little eyes staring him down. Even if the voice in his head currently sounded like Wei Ying, he did, absolutely, believe that this was the start of a horror film.

“I’m so sorry,” Wei Ying said as he swept through their room, collecting at least five of the plastic and cloth demons and throwing them out into the hall. “She’s never been this bad about them before. I swear, she’s sitting in her bedroom right now, sipping some wassail and cackling.”

“Wassail?” he asked.

“We’ll keep you to the regular apple cider,” Wei Ying said. “I’m pretty sure Madame Yu pours an entire barrel of bourbon into her wassail.”

He was fidgeting, and talking too fast, and looking everywhere but at him.

Lan Zhan reached out and stopped his pacing, pulling him close.

“I’m with you, will stand by you, for everything,” he said, cupping his cheek. “And that includes this house possessed by the spirit of Christmas commercialism. I’d rather be by your side amongst all this, than without you again during this time of year. I want to spend Christmas with you, in all your traditions. And I want to kiss you as this year ends and the next one begins. And not just for Chinese New Year. I am greedy, Wei Ying, I want them both.”

“So selfish,” Wei Ying teased. He kissed Lan Zhan’s palm, and then his wrist, and then came closer, pushing him down, flopping on top of him in a tired sprawl. “I was so worried you were going to call your brother to come get you.”

“Never,” he vowed.

And not only because he would never, ever, want to force this upon his big brother. The color clashing alone would upset him, not to mention what he would think of all the lights--everywhere.

And he’d wanted this for years now. Ever since their freshman year, it hurt to go back to the Berkshires, knowing he wouldn’t see Wei Ying again until the start of the spring semester. Now he finally got to spend his entire winter break with him and nothing, not even creepy elves and gaudy decorations were going to stop him.

Something above his head caught his eye and he started to laugh.

“Found the mistletoe?” Wei Ying asked. “That was my contribution to this year’s decorating.”

“I love you,” he said, kissing the words into his Wei Ying’s mouth.

[dalekofchaos]

My biggest problems with the Tim Burton Batman movies

Batman 1989 and Batman Returns are viewed as classics and helped restore Batman as a dark hero. And they are far better than the Schumacher movies.  Today, most people remember Schumacher as having ruined the legacy of the cinematic Batman, and with good reason. After all, he is the one that put nipples on the Batsuit, gave Batman a credit card, and showed us all the Batsmile. He took a tortured, haunted character with psychological issues and turned him into a real life cartoon. The absurdity of Schumacher’s films also retroactively made Tim Burton’s films better in the minds and memories of fans. Compared to the colorfulness and camp of Batman Forever and especially Batman & Robin, Burton’s films were suddenly remembered as having been dark and brooding affairs that treated the material seriously. But not really. Tim Burton is a legendary filmmaker, a visual genius whose work has changed Hollywood. He brings strange and offbeat but lovable characters to life within universes that look like something from our imagination. Edward Scissorhands and Big Fish alone are a treat for the eyes. Yet his two films set in Gotham City, 1989’s Batman and 1992’s Batman Returns, were not nearly as profound — or as good — as your recollection would have you believe. They’ve aged poorly, yes, but they were not all that good when they were released. It puzzles me that anyone finds any of these movies better than Batman Begins or The Dark Knight. These are my biggest issues with the Tim Burton Batman movies.

The villains are more focused than on Batman. I don’t like it that we know more about The Joker than we do about Batman. We are never supposed to get a definitive origin for The Joker. And we have less focus on Batman as a character, I mean he’s reduced to a side character in Batman Returns. We barely know ANYTHING about Keaton’s Bruce Wayne, let alone his Batman. Burton not understanding the character of Bruce Wayne/Batman is one thing, but he doesn’t even care about him. Perhaps the biggest issue with the films is that he is completely focused on the supporting characters. There are three origin stories in those two films — one in Batman, two in Batman Returns — and none of them tell the story of Bruce Wayne/Batman. All we learn about Bruce Wayne is that his parents were murdered through a flashback and a scene of Alexander Knox and Vicki Vale reading old newspaper articles. Who is Bruce Wayne? What role did his parents play in his life? When did he dedicate his life to fighting crime? How did he come up with the symbol of the bat? When and how did he construct the Batcave? Does he have any training?  We know virtually nothing about the titular character. Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins goes to great lengths to explain how Wayne got his hands on all of the gear and gadgets that he would use in his war on crime, but Burton never once takes the time to analyze how Bruce Wayne turned himself into the Caped Crusader.  I think the worst thing about these movies is Burton doesn't care about Batman as a character. There is no origin movie so we do not see why he chooses to become Batman, the only reason we get is "just something I have to do" no mention of training his entire life. We meet him as an adult Batman and all we know is he likes to play dead, he's rich and a bit crazy and he iis what the plot needs him to be. Every time Michael Keaton tells people “I’m Batman” I cringe, Keaton you were not Batman, you were Burton Murderman.

The Joker is an eccentric mobster, not The Joker. While I enjoyed Jack’s Joker, he just seems like a mildly crazy eccentric mobster. In my opinion The Joker should be a psychopathic killer clown who symbolizes the randomness of crime, who thinks life is the joke and death is the punchline, with Jack’s Joker we get the twisted sense of humor, we don’t get the randomness of a crime we get a crazed eccentric mob boss. And when I think about it, Jack Nicholson just did not play The Joker. He changes from scene to scene, with no defining characteristics. The only really clear thing about him is that he is pining after the same woman as Bruce Wayne AND Batman. Worst of all, we are given a definitive origin of his character, including a name, an explanation for why his skin is white and his hair is green. And in giving him these characteristics, we never get a fully-formed Joker. He always remains nothing more than a mentally-ill gangster, out for revenge. Sure, The Joker is the same villain whose identity is ever-evolving. But here, he doesn’t even seem to remember that he IS The Joker. And this is tragic, as he’s being portrayed by Jack Nicholson. Imagine if Nicholson had the chance to play a version of The Joker who made sense, and who matched the villain we know from the source material.

The Joker kills Thomas and Martha Wayne. I feel like this was solely done just so Burton can have the excuse for Batman to kill Joker and criminals in general. Even screen writer Sam Hamm came clean and said he did not have Joker kill Batman’s parents, it was Tim Burton’s idea. You know it’s stupid when your own screen writer throws an incompetent director under the bus. 

Bad fighting. Batman isn’t that great at fighting. There are very few fight scenes in either film. When we see Batman fighting, we see a slow, lumbering, cumbersome Batman that throws a punch or two and maybe a kick before running away. He also loses as many fights as he wins, getting pummeled by the Joker’s henchmen and having his batarang taken away by a small poodle. Several times, he defeats the bad guys not with skill or training, but through gimmicks or luck. 

Batman kills. Batman kills. I don’t think Batman should ever kill. In both of the movies he’s a mass murdering thug. He  kills Joker’s thugs in Ace Chemicals without remorse and practically blows them up. Knocking that one Joker thug against the cathedral bell pretty much killed him and while he was trying to capture The Joker, he pretty much killed him. Oh god it gets worse in Batman Returns. He incinerates one of Penguin’s henchmen with the Batmobile and straps a bomb to another. Batman killing is boring. Batman not killing is what makes him so compelling, if he kills criminals, there is no moral conflict,  if he kills criminals, there is no moral conflict, he is no better than the Punisher, Wolverine or any other dark edgy hero. Burton making Bruce a killer, making the conflict as simply as Batman wants to stop and kill The Joker because The Joker killed his parents does not do justice to their fascinating dynamic.

I do not like how The Penguin have clown henchmen and The Joker has just regular thugs for henchmen. Seems like it’s reversed.

As much as I love Burtonverse Batmobile, I do not understand HOW the armor functions properly in real life, nor do I understand the pole in Batman Returns fits in the Batmobile like really? HOW?????

Batman and Gordon's relationship. Jim Gordon is made into such a completely irrelevant character. They took one of the most important aspects of the Batman myth and made him into a bumbling, slapstickish cartoon police chief. If Burton had treated his source material with more respect, Gordon wouldn’t be such an irrelevant character. Commissioner Gordon is one of the first two characters in Batman, ever. He and Bruce Wayne appear on the very first page of Detective Comics #27 together. He has a major role in every great Batman comic and graphic novel of all time. Instead, he is made into an incompetent joke who you probably don’t even recall being in Burton’s Batman. He also has virtually no interaction with Commissioner Gordon. Historically, Gordon, the only honest cop in Gotham, and Batman have had a strong bond, formed and fortified through their shared goal of cleaning up the city and their experiences therein, but in Burton’s films, Gordon is just another hapless cop that Batman largely ignores and occasionally tolerates. And in the Schumacher films, Gordon is a bumbling stooge who needs Batman to clean up his mess.

The complete waste of Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent. Has no interaction with Batman and never works with him. He barely has a presence. This could've been fixed by making him Two-Face, but Harvey Dent needed to have a presence in Gotham before becoming Two-Face for his fall to mean anything

The Penguin isn't his own villain. He is a puppet for Max and that's just dumb, as enjoyable as Walken was, his character really should not have existed at all. Being born with deformities is fine, but what is overkill is being thrown down a sewer and being raised by Penguins. Burton took Oswald Cobblepot, an overweight, but well-dressed criminal mastermind with a large vocabulary, and turned him into a dirty circus sideshow, an “aquatic bird-boy.” His vision of the Penguin bleeds black and green, has flippers for hands, lives in the sewer, wears a filthy onesie, rides a giant rubber duck, and is obsessed with sex. He also wants to murder sleeping children, but not before blowing off their genitalia: “Male and female! Hell, the sexes are equal with their erogenous zones blown sky high!” That’s an actual line of dialogue. The Penguin should be a gentleman of crime and mockery of high society with an affinity of birds.  Duplicitous mob boss. A guy who EVERYBODY knows is dirty, but he’s smart enough to make sure that there’s just enough deniability for him to get away with it. And JUST enough too, ‘cause he likes rubbing it in Batman’s face that nothing sticks to him. He is a criminal mastermind who is so smart that Batman considers him to be equal or smarter to him. Cares nothing for money or wanting to fit in, all he cares for is a complex caper, wanting to wet his beak and to rub it in Batman’s face.

Catwoman's origin. After being pushed out of a (tiny) window from the top floor of a building, Selina Kyle plummets to the concrete…only to be brought back to life…by cats? And then she goes home in a zombie-like state, rips her clothes apart, shoves her stuffed animals down the sink, spray paints her dollhouse, and sews together her suit? This is important, but knowing how and why Batman came to be doesn’t matter? Catwoman is a sleek, deceptive cat burglar, but Tim Burton decided to take the name literally, turning her into a half-cat, half-woman that drinks milk, eats birds, has nine lives, and doesn’t steal anything. 

[hamilton-one-shots]

Hamilton High School AU 104

For Lafayette, the morning was much quieter. And definitely a bit lonelier. Of course, he had Rosie to lift his spirits, but... It was weird not having Hercules at a time like that. Not having him when Lafayette could’ve used an extra hand getting dressed, not having him when his habit of turning off the alarm before it could ring and waking Lafayette himself would’ve been much appreciated, not having him when he knew that it was his own choice not to have him around felt... Bad. Lafayette felt bad for not inviting him over or going to see him, but, even then, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to stand being treated like he was made of glass. Not when it was that much closer to accurate now. 

So, he sucked it up and got ready, making a quick breakfast for himself before leaving and walking himself to school. He was hoping it’d be a peaceful walk, but instead, a car pulled up beside him, not three minutes later. 

But it wasn’t all bad. 

“Hey, babe.. Martha told me you were walking, I thought I’d come pick you up.” 

Lafayette smiled and got in the car with his boyfriend. “Thank you..” He kissed Herc’s cheek, then buckled himself in as he started driving. 

“So.. I can’t believe what happened to you and John yesterday.. I’m so glad Lee’s out of here for now.”

“Me too... And it’ll heal quickly, as long as I don’t strain myself too much.”

Hercules nodded. “I can hold your bag and stuff for you. I imagine that this is pretty difficult to deal with on your own..”

Lafayette shook his head. “No.. I don’t want to bother you.” 

“Babe, you’re never bothering me. You know I’d do anything for you, holding your books is nothing.” 

It wasn’t nothing to Lafayette. He shook his head again. “I want to take care of it myself.. I appreciate that you want to help, I really do, but.. I don’t know.. It’s hard to explain.” 

“Okay..” Hercules was well aware of how weird Lafayette tended to act when it came to being spoiled sometimes, btu he had no idea what the problem could be, Sometimes, Lafayette was content to be treated like a princess just out of nowhere. Other times, he was refusing help with carrying his books, despite a broken wrist. But it had gone on and off so randomly ever since the two met that Hercules just wasn’t sure how to bring it up. 

Instead, the two were silent for the entire drive to school and as they walked up to the building before Lafayette finally spoke. 

“You know, John actually has it worse than me. He broke a couple of his fingers, too.” 

“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me,” Hercules said, his lips curling into a small smile. “I bet he hardly noticed..”

“He hardly reacted until we were on our way to the hospital. The poor thing was a bit off the whole time, but I think he’ll be just fine this morning,” Lafayette said with a shrug, having no clue about John’s rather chaotic morning. 

“Hopefully.. John’s always raising my blood pressure.” 

“Mine too. People probably think I’m the crazy one, but at least I know when to stop,” he said, jokingly. 

“Hey, at least I have an excuse,” John said through a laugh, making Lafayette jump. “I haven’t been stable since I was ten, man, cut me some slack.” 

Lafayette smiled and shook his head. “You’d think you would’ve learned to control it by now.” 

John shrugged. “I don’t care to try when someone’s trying to hurt my loyal friends,” he replied with sarcasm dripping from his voice. 

Lafayette chuckled. “Seriously, are you doing alright? After yesterday, I’m just making sure..” 

“I’m okay, Laf,” John assured, giving his friend a genuine smile. “I just needed a good night sleep and some food.” 

“I’m glad to hear that.” Lafayette smiled and kept walking and talking with him all the way to class, Hercules trailing behind with Alexander and Thomas for a bit. 

“So.. What’s up with them two?” Thomas asked. “Like, I know John said I was his first boyfriend, but were he and Laf actually a thing?..” 

Alexander scrunched up his nose at the question as Hercules laughed. “Ew..”

“Dude, no. They were never a thing, believe me. They just.. I don’t know. They get along in a way that we may never understand.. Laf was really hurt when John didn’t tell him about what his dad did.. I mean, so was I, of course, but not like Laf was.. They’ve always been like that.” 

“Oh.. I’ve just never seen any two people get along like that..” The way that John got along with Laf was closer to how he got along with Thomas himself and Alexander, rather than how he got along with Hercules. And it was nothing like how he got along with Lucy or Susan or any of his siblings, for that matter. 

“It’s a really intimate friendship. It’s a little weird, but you do get used to it.” And with what happened the day before, with Lafayette getting harassed and John being reminded of his own traumas, the two were closer than ever. 

But even Alexander wasn’t too bothered by it. He understood it. It wasn’t the same kind of love that he felt for John, but there was clearly some kind of love between the two. And the two had known each other for so long, it was more than enough time to develop their own unique friendship. “I know it’ a weird thing to say, but I feel like they would get married if we all weren’t around.. Like, as friends.” 

“Oh, definitely. I remember they used to talk about living together and adopting kids to take care of and they said I could always come over with my army of dogs..” Hercules remembered it fairly clearly. A teenage Herc and Laf and a John who wasn’t quite there, taking care of John’s siblings and thinking about what life would be like when they were old enough to make their own. The three were equally close, just in very different ways. 

Thomas couldn’t quite wrap his head around it, but he did know one thing. If John needed Lafayette now, he would have to be a monster to tear them apart. His own jealousy meant nothing in comparison. 

But Lafayette and John weren’t joined at the hip. Their respective boyfriends were easily able to get more than enough time with them throughout the day. Once it ended and drama practice was finally over, all five friends - and Lucy, of course - made their way to the Washington house and hung out in the living room. 

Alexander turned on a video game and sat down on the floor in front of the couch beside John, who sat between him and Lucy.  

“Hasn’t he kicked your butt enough yet?” Hercules jokingly asked Alexander, who mocked his laughter. 

“Hey, John uses a bunch of cheap tricks. Until I get a fair game with him, he hasn’t won once in my mind,” he stated simply. 

John snickered to himself. “You’re just mad because I can beat you so badly.. Trust me, if this was GTA or anything else that wasn’t a Nintendo game, I’m sure you’d own me.” 

Alexander grinned at that. “Oh, really?..” 

Maybe ten minutes after Alexander set up his Playstation, there was chaos in the living room as five teenage boys and a little girl yelled over a round of Fortnite. 

As unfamiliar as he was with the game, John was clearly losing, clenching his teeth as he focused on the game with Thomas and Lucy cheering him on. 

“Alright, you can still kick his butt!” 

“You can do it , Johnny!” 

Lafayette and Hercules, however, were highly entertained by watching someone out John in his metaphorical place when it came to video games. 

“Look who’s winning now!” 

“Kick his ass!”

“Language!” Thomas warned, pointing at Lucy and shooting a look in Lafayette’s direction. 

“Sorry.. Beat him up, Alex!” 

Martha smiled as she watched them play from the dining room, George watching with her. 

“It’s so nice to see them so happy and hyper for once.. Too many bad things happen to these kids,” she remarked with a sigh. 

George nodded. “Yeah.. I’m still a little wary about Thomas, though.. I find it hard to believe that he changed so much in such a short time.”

“Well, the same could be said for Alexander. After all, before meeting John and getting along with Laf and Herc, he wasn’t exactly the peachiest boy. Now look at him..” 

“True..” George smiled fondly. “I always knew he needed something to get him out of his shell.. If I’d known it was John, I would’ve introduced them years ago.” 

“Same here..” 

John lost his mom not long before Alexander came into the picture. Alexander, at one point, was rude, sarcastic, and everything that would lead to an immediate fight between himself and John. Of course George and Martha wanted to do everything in their power to keep them apart for so long, only letting them meet when Alexander had ran out of nearby schools to go to. 

Martha put her hand over her husband’s and gently ran her thumb over his knuckles. “They are just kids.. Thomas had his share of growing to do and I’m more focused on how amazing it is that it was our boys who convinced him to do so..” Sure, he began his change for John, but without the other three giving him a chance, what was there to keep him from changing back? From unintentionally hurting John again?