#ELANA WHEN I CATCH YOU ELENA

[expensivemountaintea]

HAIR UPDATE

I might just look like 14 year old Justin Bieber but at least my hair has been somewhat fixed. I went to my aunt who lives like 2-3 hours away from me and let her fix it (She's a hairdresser and she's who I originally wanted to go to but I didn't have the time to make the trip). I might just look like Justin at his peak but at least I don't look like a mushroom.

For those wondering how I look like now:

It's literally that. That's my haircut.

[specialagentlokitty]

Elijah x reader - nerves for you

you can make headcanons about elijah mikaelson being nervous around you - Anon💜

Elijah didn’t have to enter the home to know that you were in there, he could hear your laughter from the other side of the closed door, and it sent a shiver up his spine.

If his heart could race out of his chest he was sure that it would have already. His hands were shaking slightly, and he felt nerves washing up over him.

“Elijah?”

He blinked, looking up at the door where you were stood.

You wore the brightest smile as you closed the door and walked down towards him, and without thinking he shuffled a few steps backwards, hoping it would help somehow.

You stepped just a few feet in front of him, giving him a bright smile as you looked around.

“What brings you by?” You asked.

“I…I… Uhm…”

Elijah cursed himself for stuttering, and he cleared his throat.

“I… need to speak with Elena if possible.”

“Oh… of course!”

You ran back up the house and he couldn’t help the knife stabbing him in his heart at how disappointed you sounded.

But he was hoping to avoid talking to you, he just couldn’t handle it. You made him nervous beyond anything.

As Elena came out of the house, she walked down towards him and stuffed her hands in her pockets.

“What do you want?” She grumbled.

“I have come to thank you for helping me, and perhaps ask for a favour.”

“What?”

Elijah sighed crossing his arms over his chest as he tried to find a way to say what he wanted to say.

“I want to ask (Y/N) on a date.”

“Okay?”

“I don’t know how.”

Elana laughed a little bit, shaking her head as she glanced back at the door before turning back to him.

“Just walk up to them and ask them, I’ll bring them back out.”

“No! No wait!”

Elijah rushed forward and blocked her path back to the house.

“I can’t ask (Y/N) out because I get so nervous around them, I can’t speak, I can’t think, I can’t do anything around them.”

Elena smiled a little bit, reaching out as she placed a hand on the originals shoulder and gave it a little squeeze.

“You love them Elijah, and when you love someone that’s okay.”

“I can’t love them, because if Niklaus finds out he will take them away.”

“He won’t, he won’t even know. Just spend some time with (Y/N), get to know them some more, try talk to them.”

Elijah sighed, giving a small little shrug.

“I… can’t…”

“Just try, okay?”

Elijah nodded his head, thanked Elena and left.

He didn’t see you for nearly a week after that, but as he was walking around trying to get the imagine of you out of his brain he nearly walked right into you.

You stumbled back and he caught you by your arms, steadying you on your feet before he let go and took a few steps away.

“Hey Elijah!” You beamed.

“Ah.. hello…” he spoke softly.

You clasped your hands behind your back, looking around before you turned your attention back to him.

“Are you meeting someone here?”

“Oh.. no just.. just walking…”

“May I join you?”

Elijah nodded his head and the pair of you began to walk side by side.

You rambled on about something you had saw further down the park, saying how cool it was and that you wanted to show him.

But all he could focus on was your smile, the sound of your voice and the nerves building up in side of him.

He was sure that if the butterflies in his stomach could, they would burst out.

He started to shake again, and he tried everything he could to avoid looking at you.

While he was avoiding looking in your general direction, he failed to notice that you had found a ball stuck in a tree and you decided to go get it.

“Hey Elijah catch!” You called.

He turned around just in time to catch the ball falling from him.

He handed it back to some kids and looked up at you as you laid on the beach, lazily swinging your arm to wave at him.

“That’s dangerous, come down.” He said.

“It’s fine.”

Elijah sighed and stood below you, looking up at your smiling face, and he couldn’t help but smile back.

You looked so perfect, and he just admired your beauty from up in the tree.

You sat up and swung from the branch, dangling yourself in the air and Elijah panicked a little bit.

“Please don’t fall.”

“I’m gonna drop down, there’s no other way down.”

“Hold on.”

He stood under you, reaching his arms up to grab your legs, placing your feet on his shoulders.

“I’ve got you, just let go.”

You did as he said, and shifted his arms from your legs to your thighs, easily lowers your down.

Your feet barely touched the ground, your arms were wrapped around his neck, and he was just staring into your eyes.

He stared into your eyes, and you just started back.

Then he realised what he was doing and he quickly and gently set you on the ground before stepping away and clearing his throat.

“Sorry.”

“Thanks Elijah.” You smiled.

You bumped your shoulder against his and all his nerves came flooding back, and all he could do was think about kissing you and holding you in his arms

[sadcupcake]

Winchester in Mystic Falls Part 4

"So, you're not dead?" Elana says to me. 

"Trust me, I'd rather be dead than seeing you again" I can't believe I'm even here.  There is a very small part of me that is hoping for an apology. Hoping that my sister is sorry for what she done to me when we were children and that we can move on and actually be sisters.  I can't let myself feel that hope, because it will never happen. Not if she's the same Elena I remember.

"Right. So why are you here then? It can't just be to tell me you hate me"

"I'm here because I need your help" I can't believe I'm actually admitting that to her right now, but it's true. For what ever reason my sister is caught up in all of this so I'll need her help ending it. If she's still alive at the end of it or not is not really my problem.

"So, after all this time you come back from the dead and all you say is I need your help"

"Yeah Elena that's all I say, because anything else I have to say will end with you not helping me"

"Like what, I thought you were dead Y/N. The least you can do is explain" 

" After what you done to me Elena I don't owe you or anyone else in this town anything let alone an explanation. The only reason you know I'm alive in the first place is because I need your help. Now would you prefer I leave and get my help else where or can you shut up long enough to hear what I have to say" I say already getting sick of hearing her speak.

"Fine, what do you need my help with" she says rolling her eyes. There she is the Elena I know so well

"Vampires" I say, that one little word bringing an emotion to my sister's face I've never seen before. Fear.

"What do you mean vampires, they aren't real" she says trying to get out of this. There's no getting out now.

"Cut the shit Elena, I know you know who the vamps in this town are one way or another. I need names now. Sister or not I'll get those names, so what's it going to be"

"I don't know what you're talking about Y/N. What happened to you while you were dead, you're sounding crazy" she says slowly backing up to the wall. She finally understands I'm not her sister she could push over anymore. I'm barley the girl she remembers.

"There's no point lying Elena. I'll get those names one way or another, let's just make it easy on every one. I'd really hate it if  I had to torture it out of you, but if I have too I will and I learned from the best Elena" I say getting up and closing the gap between us. It's true I did learn from the best. Having one brother who was tortured by the Devil himself and another who was a demon for a while means you pick up a few things.

"What the hell happened to you Y/N, my sweet sister that I remember would never hurt anyone. Please lets just sit down and talk. We can catch up" my sister says trying to look around the room for anyway out. There is none. No matter what way she tries to run, I'm faster. If she tries to swing at me, I'm a better fighter. She has no way out of this right now, because for once in our lives. I'm better than she is.

"Please Y/N I'm your sister. I promise I know nothing about vampires in Mystic Falls" she is still lying. I really don't want to torture my sister. I'm not a monster , deep down I still think of her as my big sister. I still have hope that I could still have a big sister who loves me, but the logical part of me knows that it'll never happen. Mostly I just don't want to clean up all that blood.

"have it your way then sis" I say. 

Just as I'm about to knock her out the door opens. Two guys walk in, I can tell from here that they're vamps. I knew she was involved but having vamps invited into her house is something else. Hell she's right in the middle of all this. They're hot I'll give them that but one looks way too arrogant and full of himself and the other looks like he's scared of himself which will get him killed in the end, hopefully by me. I wouldn't be surprised if she was dating one if not both of them. Hell I'd date a vamp if not for the whole hunter thing. They tend not to get over the whole hunting their kind down and killing them thing.

"Who's this Elena, you didn't say you were having company" the arrogant one says, wow controlling much.

"Uhh, it's a long stroy, but this is my sister that everyone thought was dead" Elena says taking a step away from me. Smart girl but not smart enough.

"Yep that's me, not so dead sister. Just came by to let Elena know I was alive after all. I'll be going now since you have visitors Elena. Have a think about what I said. See you around sis" I say before making my exit. I'm sure I could have taken my sister and the two vamps considering they show their weaknesses like it's nothing, but that would have gotten me no where. Watching them on the other hand will get me everything I need to know.

[storywriter12]

Came up with this little chapter last night it's a vampire diaries chapter basically the reader has a thing for stefan but gets two better people

OK it's no joke that you have a big crush on stefen bonnie, one of your best friends even  told you that had eyes for elana only but you two were in competition for him like the other week. You both had a fight over who sat next to him in history and when he wanted you to sit next to him she didn't talk to you for the whole day. Or that time at lunch when you kissed Tyler on the cheek for helping you with homework stefen couldn't take his eyes off of you that day after when you kissed Tyler. Stefen even came over to you and talked to you. His eyes looked into yours and you knew he liked you later that day in the library he kissed you and you two had a hot make out session but the next day he acted like nothing happened. 

The dance 

The dance was coming up and you were kind of excited. It was at  the  Mikaelsons house and you were friends with Rebekah who had a thing for stefen as well but she knew how much you wanted him so she thought about an idea. She had an idea about your dress for the dance. Why don't you go with something sexy… More  sexy than cute and Stefan would want you, you thought it was stupid and you didn't wanna go knowing that he would be with Elana just would annoy you even more and ruin your night. So you went dress shopping and bought a blue and black dress you had to say that you looked nice in it. The next day you went to school and stefan was hanging around your locker he smiled at you which you smiled back asking him how he was this morning he said he was fine 

(stefan) do you wanna go to the dance. With me? 

(you) you didn't even know what to say you thought it was a dream you blinked and looked at him in his  eyes feeling your cheeks get flustered you did a small nod, he smiled even more and kissed your cheek and walked off throughout the day you two talked about what time was he picking you up he said around 7:00 pm the dance starts at 8:pm you  couldn't wait till the day, was over you thought that this was going to be it you guys were going to make a go at this. he chose you over elena. 

That night the dance 

You got dressed into your dress and waited he never turned up so you catched a cab to the big house when you got to the house it was already packed out with people all of your friends were there they looked beautiful and handsome some of the guys couldn't take there eyes off of you, you walked inside got a drink which was  champagne you drank it in one and took another “slow down love “you hear Rebekah say behind you. You turned around and she knew that something was wrong with you. He stood me up you said and she rolled her eyes and had her angry face on “wait until he gets here “ no don't I huff 

(Rebekah) not to worry love I'm sure that alot of men here would want you I said nodding my head over to Tyler “I really thought he would want me now. “she said I put my hand on her should 

(you) I'm just going to go outside. I huff walking past people and out into the cool air of the night I sat on a stone bench. in my own World “are you OK? “I looked up seeing a man stood there in a smart looking suit “can I say that you look beautiful in that dress “you smiled well thank you sir he let a little laugh from his mouth “please call me Elijah” you two maintain  eye contact 

(elijah) who are you here with? I asked “no one “ I stood and looked at her in shock. No one? 

(you) I shook my head well, someone  did ask me to this dance but he um stood me up I said that line hit me like a knife in the heart “and who is this man? “ his name's stefan salvatore you said looking at Elijah he rolled his eyes “my sister has a thing for him”  he said I opened my mouth to say, something but got cut off by a man who walked up to Elijah “brother there you are I've been looking for you “ 

(Elijah) brother can't you see I'm talking to this beautiful girl here have some manners I said looking at nicklaus he turned to look at the girl and smiled at her 

(klaus) it's nice to meet you I'm klaus I said holding my, hand out and I kissed her hand softly 

(you) you looked at elijah and he rolled his eyes and looked away. The man who kissed your hand said a goodbye to you and walked back inside as the soft music played in the background Elijah looked at you, “may I have this dance? “ He said you smiled at him, he held out his arm to you and you took it tucking  your arm underneath his as he led you back into the house and to the ball room where   people were dancing he took you into his arms and danced with you. Your hands were tiny compared to his. He held you close to his body looking into your eyes, you looked into his eyes then his lips. He spins you around and you near bump heads a little laugh comes from your mouth then the music stops and you both parted ways you couldn't stop looking at him his hand  came to your face and slightly stroking your cheek “may I have the next dance? “someone asked I turned and klaus was there I looked at Elijah and he moved away letting his brother step in klaus held your hand spinning you around  dancing with you 

Klaus and Elijah danced with you all night you didn't even realised that elena and stefan was here  it didn't even bother you anymore that he was with her you walked past her telling her that she looked nice in that dress and then you went to find Elijah it was time for you to go home as you told him that you needed to be up early in the morning he offered you a bed but you turned it down he was waiting for you outside and so was klaus. Elijah was near the front door. You looked up at him and he kissed your cheek looking at your lips. You pulled him down for a soft kiss. You felt that he wasn't sure about it so you pulled away and kissed him on his cheek, you walked down the  steps and you hugged Klaus and told him thank you for the night. He smiled and kissed your lips softly you moaned a little he pulled away and opened the car door for you and you were on the way home before the car drove away you saw Elana standing at the door way she looked kind of jealous you couldn't help but smirk a little. 

[house-of-slayterr]

I Need a Vacation

Where the Mystic Falls gang takes a vacation to Santa Clara. Things get a bit interesting.

CW: Reader is female

You stretched your arms above your head, nearly letting out a moan at how good it felt to crack you back. The blood flow slowly returned to your extremities. You heard a laugh from behind you and shot your head back to glare at the culprit.

"Shut it, Salvatore!"

"Yeah Stefan, leave her alone, that's the most action she's gotten in a while" Tyler joked.

You glared at the young werewolf.

"My dearest brother, if you don't shut the fuck up, I will rip out your throat with my teeth."

Tyler was your twin, and he never let up on the fact that he was a few minutes older than you. It was endearing sometimes, but right now it just got on your nerves. You placed a hand over his mouth before he could get a word out. Damon laughed next to you, snacking his arms around your shoulder.

"Down Puppy!"

"My venom can kill you, remember that."

Elena cut off the squabbling quickly. Matty Blue Eyes, Carebear, Jer and Bon Bon all got out of the van.

"Somebodies on her period," Jeremy commented.

You squirmed out of Damon's grasp, replacing your body with Elena's. She let out a small squeak but you ignored her. Stefan's eye roll didn't go unnoticed by you. You made your way over to Jeremy and he backed up with his hands held high.

"What are you doing?"

"What, can't a girl just hug her best friend?" You asked innocently.

"I thought I was your best friend," Caroline whined.

"No, you're her girlfriend, there's a difference." Tyler corrected.

Caroline blushed furiously. It was no secret that you were attracted to all genders. And you reminded Care constantly that you thought she was beautiful. Making her blush was your favourite thing. Yet here you stood, hopelessly single.

You finally wrapped your hands firmly around Jeremy., squeezing him in a tight hug.

"Bug, you're hurting me!" He huffed out.

It was a stupid nickname, you screamed at a spider one time, and suddenly you were stuck. You grinned, squeezing him tighter and lifting his feet off the ground. A silent reminder you were stronger than him.

"You deserve it you little shit."

You set him down, after a little begging on Bonnie's part.

"Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm starving," Matt exclaimed.

"I could eat" Tyler agreed.

"Typical boys," Care scoffed.

"What was that Princess?" Damon asked.

"Damon," Elana warned.

"Why don't we walk down to the boardwalk, it's late but with the tourist life things should be open," Stefan suggested.

Of course, he was the only person who researched this place. He brought blood bags with him, knowing it would be difficult to be around so many people when he was back on the real stuff. But Stefan had you to keep him in check. Elena was with his brother now, he excepted that, but he'd always have his werewolf best friend to snap him out of it. Things had been hard since his brother killed Lexi.

You frowned, noticing Stefan lost in thought.

"You ok Wonder Boy?" You asked.

He hated the nickname, almost as much as you hated it when his brother called you Puppy. But something about the way you said it made his skin crawl with warmth. You could be so nice when you wanted to be. You sighed when you noticed the small spider veins under his eyes.

"You're hungry too arent you. Why don't you all go on ahead, Stef and I will catch up later."

"Are you sure Y/N?" Matt asked.

"Yeah Blue Blue. Get me whatever you're having will ya? You know we have the same taste in food."

"And in women" He mumbled.

"What was that?"

"I said I'll get us some chicken... just not sure what kind yet."

"Sounds perfect. Jer you pick out a drink?"

"I've got you."

I watched with a smile on my face as my friends disappeared into the crowd. Stefan turned to me, a look of worry plastered on his face.

"I know you don't want Elena to know you're back on the red stuff." I offered.

I climbed into the back of the van, quickly pillaging through his bag to find the hidden bottles. I tossed one to him quickly. He turned around, always the gentleman. I rolled my eyes. He emptied the bottle quickly, wiping the little dribble that landed on his chin.

"Better?"

He nodded his head.

"Stefan if you felt better you would open your mouth to speak." I chastised.

"I'm-"

I shot him a glare, the kind that said "finish that sentence and I'll fucking kill you"

"I'm still hungry, it's not enough, it never is anymore."

I frowned. The type of frown that wrinkled your whole face and exhausted your muscles. He sighed when he saw my face, quickly pulling me into a hug.

"I'll be fine Ginger Snap."

"I'm not even hot enough to be in that movie," I thought.

I brushed my hair to the side, exposing my neck to him. It was his turn to frown, a look that was almost permanently etched onto his face these days.

"I won't."

"Oh come one Stef, my venom's toxic, not my blood. Give it a shot. I can't have you depleting your whole stock this quickly into the trip. Otherwise, we're gonna have to find you, someone, to eat, and I refuse to play the damsel in distress this time." I joked, attempting to cut through the tension.

I trusted Stefan with my life, and he knew this. He glared at me, not appreciating my joke.

"No tourists!" His voice was firm.

"Then drink up buttercup!"

He let out a soft growl, clearing his throat as he tried to hide how much he wanted to.

"Stef, I've had the shit beat out of me by a Hybrid, this is gonna feel like a bee sting. You're not gonna hurt me, Love, so drink."

He brushed the rest of my hair off my neck, taking a deep breath as he consumed my scent. Believe it or not, most vampires didn't think werewolves smelt bad, that was some Twilight bullshit. It was actually the other way around. Vampires smelt like old blood and occasionally burnt oak if they were hurt.

Stefan had only drank from me once before, but that was before I awoke my curse. Before I became a beast. I growled at the memory, saving Tyler's ass ruined my life. But I'd do it a thousand times over. Stefan pulled back, his teeth leaving my neck. HE confused my groan for discomfort.

I silently guided his head back into place.

"Was just thinking is all," I assured him.

He sank his teeth further into my skin, and I there my head back, allowing him more access. I had to admit, it felt nice, even if it was only in a platonic setting. His breath and tongue were warm on my neck, and I bit into the skin on my lip. My own fangs dared to poke out under the moonlight, the full moon wouldn't come while we were on our trip, thank god.

Stefan chuckled against my skin.

"You're enjoying this far too much." He mumbled.

"What was that Fangs? I couldn't hear you." I joked back.

I almost whined as he pulled away. He looked down t me with a strange look on his face.

"What?"

"You got a little something-"

He gently wiped my bottom lip with his thumb, sticking the now blood-clad finger into his mouth. God that was hot! You smiled up at him.

"Thanks, feeling better?"

"Very much so, thank you."

You scrunched your nose up, a thing you did when you were really happy. or when you found something adorable. You booped his nose, watching as he scrunched it just like yours. But his was in disgust.

"Anytime Hero Hair, now come on, our friends are waiting!"

You grabbed his hand, pulling him deep into the crowd to look for your friends. Stefan rolled his eyes at the nickname but smiled fondly, following after you. He knew you meant it, you always did. You were one of the most helpful, caring people he'd ever met.

"Slow down." He chuckled.

He watched as you stumbled over your own feet. You weren't very graceful. Somehow, you'd let go of his hand, and wandered off into the crowd where he couldn't find you. He should have still been able to smell your blood, considering it was only covered up by your t-shirt and a thin layer of hair. But he was too overwhelmed with the scent of the new people on the boardwalk. Stefan spotted his brother and made his way over to the group.

"We're the short one?" Damon asked.

Stefan shrugged.

"No idea!"

You turned around, looking for Stefan, but he was nowhere to be seen. You spun, panicked. Unbeknownst to you, another vampire had spotted you. Paul nudged his brother Marko and pointed in your direction. They could smell your blood from here and it was intoxicating. Dwayne caught onto that the two idiots before him were drooling over and he caught David's attention.

"What'd you find for us, Paulie?" David hummed.

"Dinner."

The older boy smirked at his younger counterpart. Dwayne would admit that sometimes David treated the other two like they were dogs. But they had a good nose for prey. You looked so so scared, that it would be easy for one of them to lure you off.

Now the real question, was who would be getting dessert. David placed a hand over Marko's shoulder, holding the boy back.

"Easy Marko, you don't want to scare the kitten off."

The boy growled at his ring leader. Paul was actual salivating over the thought of you. You were from away, but even he could tell you were hot.

"Why's she bleeding?" Dwayne wondered out loud.

You suddenly locked eyes with the odd group of boys. They leaned against a fence on the edge of the boardwalk, motorbikes between their legs. Your mind stopped working for a moment. Baby blue eyes met yours, and you couldn't stop the smile crawling onto your face. they reminded you of Matty.

The boys noticed as your heart rate go down, how odd. You smiled at them, sending a little wave in their direction. Sealing your fate. David had to have you know, and the boys were in full support.

You turned back around, trying to scrub the beautiful strangers from your mind. You had to find your friends, but your stomach growled. You needed food first, even though you knew Matty was waiting with yours. You spotted a convenience store ahead and slipped inside. The boys were hot on your tail.

You went up and down the isles, deciding on a small snack, just to meet your cravings. Matt would be mad if you didn't eat an actual meal. He was always mother birding you like that. You giggled under your breath at that, inadvertently brushing your hair back. That's when the boys really got whiff. In the name of everything holy, you smell mouthwatering.

David had to stop himself from lunging at you right then and there.

"By the gods does she smell good." Marko hissed under his breath.

"Good, she smells better than sex." Paul corrected.

Dwayne rolled his eyes at his brothers' antics.

"Go talk to her." She suggested.

You made your way over to the counter and set your snack of choice down. A quick curse left your mouth as you realised you'd given your wallet to Stefan for safe keeping. Suddenly a hand slide some money across the counter. You looked up to see those same icy blue eyes from earlier.

"Baby blue." You muttered under your breath.

But David caught it, of course, he did. The others were listening too, wanting to hear every word that fell from your lips.

"Thank You" You corrected yourself, pushing the previous thought from your head. "But you can't pay for this, I'll just put it back." You finished.

David glared down at you, curious that you would defy him. Especially since he was being kind right now.

"I insist, Doll." He complimented.

Your face heated up like when bonds break during an exothermic reaction. You instantly pushed your hair behind your ear, until you heard an audible gasp from the clerk. You didn't notice David take in a breath and hold it. You turned your attention back to the older man.

"Are you alright dear? You appear to be bleeding."

"What?"

"Shit!" you thought.

"Oh this, it's nothing, I'm fine."

you rubbed your hand against your neck, wiping off the small dribble of blood for emphasis.

"One of my booby pins stuck me earlier, guess I must have irritated the wound."

You lied quickly, pushing your hair back over the small bite mark. The man was about to offer you a napkin when you licked the blood fo your fingers.

"Thanks again for the snack Stranger, but I should really get going."

"Aww, leaving so soon," Paul whined.

He earned a quick slap over the head from Dwayne. YoU raised your bro at the teen, taking a step back towards the door.

"Tis'nthe fate of someone always on the run I suppose."

What an odd answer. Suddenly your phone lit up and you noticed someone was calling. You fumbled, trying to shove the snack into your pocket and retrieve the small device at the same time.

"Yellow?" You answered.

"Where the hell are you?" Tyler spat through the phone.

You physically flinched back from the phone, a reaction the boys took note of. Tyler almost never used that tone with you, but it was clear he was just worried.

"Got separated, grabbed a snack," you replied defensively.

"Were by the ferris wheel if you want to actually come to join us." He sighed.

"You know what, I don't like your tone sister. I don't think I will do that!" You hung up before he could get another word in.

"Boyfriend?" Makro asked,, suddenly behind you.

You nearly jumped out of your skin, normally you were better at this. I guess Stefan took too much out of you, you were tired. Actually exhausted after the long car ride here. Suddenly a pale hand was being waved in front of your place.

"Earth to New Girl, are you with us?"

You snapped out of your daze, instinctive grabbing onto the hand. Your grip was tight, too tight. Paul was actually in pain, he glared down at you.

"Shit, sorry mate!" you cursed, letting go of the stranger.

"That's a tight grip you got." He commented.

"Self defence classes." You covered quickly, a little too quickly.

David looked at you with weary eyes, unbeknownst to you, telepathically communicating with his boys. You rubbed the sleep out of your eyes, in a way that reminded Dwayne of Laddie. He thought about what the young boy would think of you. Would he like you? Could they trust you?

"Look, thanks for the nosh, sorry about your hand Love, but I really should be going."

Before they could protest you and slipped out of the door. Running as far as your tired feet were willing to take you. The boys looked after your fleeting form, but Pual just stood there stunned.

"She called me Love." He said, in awe.

Marko rolled his eyes.

"Come on boys, looks like dinners on a run tonight. Marko."

David didn't need to say more, Marko was already on it. He was sniffing gout your strange sent like his life depended on it. They had never smelt someone like you before. You leaned up against her wall for an ally, finally taking the time to catch your breath and enjoy your snack. The boys followed after you, watching from the roof above as you finished your food. You slid down the wall and put your head in your hands.

"Nice going Y/N, way to look like a total fucking loser. 'I take self-defence classes' god, pathetic!" you chastised. "What the fuck is wrong with you!"

You let out an unsatisfied growl, throwing a random can that was sat next to you, into the wall. The boys watched as the can crunched under the pressure. You could throw, hard.

You frustrated ripped out a strand of your hair when it touched your face. You were overstimualted. You tore the hair tie from your wrist and tied your hair into a messy bun, slumping further into the wall. They had a good look at the wound now, their enhanced vision allowing them to see from their rooftop perch.

"Is that a bite mark? Paul asked no one in particular.

"I believe it is," David said, suddenly intrigued.

Either you were really freaky, which none of the boys would mind in the slightest, or there was another vampire in tone. One who liked to bite and tell aperantly, letting its victims walk around with its fang marks.

Dwayne couldn't help but feel bad for you. Did you remember what happened, here you sacred? Is that why you were so jumpy in the store. It must have just happened since your wound was fresh. He knew just how terrifying their kind could be. And you were just walking around, trying to be brave, acting like nothing was wrong. How could you keep that in, all to yourself?

"Ugh, and why did he have to be so fucking hot?" You growled, hand messing up your already messy bun>

This gained their attention quickly.

"God those eyes. Get ahold of yourself woman, you didn't come here to flirt. Well, you did come here to have a good time, but your brother would fucking kill you. At this point, you might deserve it."

You had a habit of talking to yourself, they noticed that pretty quick. But this was useful because for some reason none of the boys could get into your mind, not even David.

"Shit, Tyler's actually going to fucking kill me."

They watched as you picked up your phone again.

"Hey, Ty."

"Where are you? Seriously it's getting late."

"I know, I know. I just needed some time to cool off. Does Matty still have my food?"

Makro hissed at the sound of you saying another guy's name so affectionally.

"Yeah, yeah, he's got your food. meet us back at the van ok. No funny business this time."

"Yes sir!" You joked.

But David didn't know that, he was almost as riled up as Marko. Who were these other boys who had your attention? You couldn't shake the feeling of being watched as you made your way back to the others. The boys were in silent agreement to follow you. But that didn't mean they couldn't toy with you along the way.

You expertly made your way through the streets, avoiding crowds and staying in the dark. It was oddly where you always felt most comfortable, even before you knew about your family secret. David thought it was incredibly stupid of you, to feel so safe in the darkest parts of the city. He thought about what it would feel like to claw into your flesh and ravage your body.

You knew there were eyes on you, that much was obvious. You tried to look less nervous about it though, not wanting to give whoever this was the satisfaction of knowing they were making you uneasy. But you just about had enough when you made your fifth circle, attempting to look lost. You suddenly spun on your heel, grabbing whoever it was in a chokehold and slamming them against the wall. Paul wasn't quick enough to react.

Marko bit back a laugh, David smirked and Dwayne couldn't help but be worried for his brother. Nobody had ever caught Paul off guard like that before.

"Corner store boy?" You spat.

A lazy grin appeared on the boy's face.

"The names Paul, Hot Stuff!"

You growled, only swerving to turn the boy on further. You could smell it in the air. Come to think of it, you could smell all of them suddenly. You should have noticed who was following before, they all had such a distinct scent.

Paul smelt like wet sand, bonfires and the sickly sweet scent of hair spray. The culry-haired blonde smelt like bird feathers, motor oil and share butter lotion. The tall one smelt of old books, pine trees and tanning oil. And Baby Blue smelt like home, like the forests of Mystic Falls Virginia. It was od to you.

"You can come out now boys." You sang into the air.

You loosened your hold on Paul's throat for a millisecond, and he used that to flip your positions. The boys came out of the woodworks and stood behind Paul, all with varying expressions. David however, did not look happy.

"How did you know we were nearby?" He demanded.

"Because I could smell you, idiot, lay off the cigs why don't ya. Besides, I have a feeling you boys don't stray far from each other. Pack mentality or whatever you'd call it."

You knew about pack mentality once. You weren't even sure why you were mad. They hadn't specifically done anything wrong. Maybe you really were just hangry. David chuckled darkly. The sound lured you in somehow, you stared past paul with reckless abandon into those dangerous eyes. David stared back with the same intensity, lighting the cigarette he removed from behind his ear. He nudged paul to the side, replacing the hold on your chin, and blew a puff of smoke into your face. Paul and Marko snickered at you.

"The fuck are you laughing for you baby-faced little bastard?" You demanded.

"You can call me Marko, Dollface."

You rolled your eyes, turning your attention to tall dark and handsome. You wouldn't give the boy before you the satisfaction of acknowledging his presence.

"What about you, Misery?"

"This here is Dwayne." Paul slung his arm around his brother.

You gave the boy a shy smile. David pushed your head back against the brick wall, earning a small groan from you.

"Somebodies ego is bruised." You jeered.

His grip tightened on your chin, and you expected him to force you to make eye contact, but instead, he turned your head to the side.

"Now what do we have here boys?"

"That's definitely not a poke from a bobby pin, Sweetness." Paul taunted.

You growled deeper this time, why the hell were they being so pushy. You smashed your head into David's and he stumbled back.

"OOO, Kitty's got claws!" Marko purred.

"Back off loverboy, I mean it!"

You felt something wet on your lip and suddenly realized your nose was bleeding.

"The fuck is your skull made of? Bricks?!? Christ dude, no need for a helmet, you'll just break the concrete."

You grabbed your nose, cracking it back into place and throwing your head back. This knocked loose the bun and your hair fell in your face. You puffed out some air to blow a strand out f your eye. Marko was now double over, leaning against Paul, laughing his ass off.

"She got you good David." He said between laughs.

You had to admit, his name sounded nice to you.

"Again, why are you laughing Hyena, I'll beat your ass next. I don't have time for this shit."

Dwayne suddenly appeared behind you, wrapping his arms around you, and holding yours firmly against your chest.

"Touch them, I'll break your fingers."

"Whatever you say Mama Bear. Didn't mean to threaten your cubs."

He growled at this, holding you tighter to him. David was now in front of you again.

"I think it's pretty obvious that you're outnumbered hear Kitten."

You sighed. He once more took a look at your neck, his fingers delicately tracing over the mark.

"We just wanna know who bit you, that's all."

You furrowed your brow before it clicked. They were jealous. You couldn't bite back the cackle you let out in time. Your sides hurt from how much you were laughing. The terror twins looked at you like you'd lost your screws.

"Oh... My... God!"

Your laugh died down to a little giggle.

"Somebodies mad he couldn't get the first bite. Having a little fang envy their Big Boy?"

They were surprised you knew what they were, and that you understood so quickly.

"Tell you what, I'll let you have a bite if you let me go. I'm not like the little tourists of this town, I go missing there are about 8 people who are gonna come looking for me. And half of them have pretty bad tempers. What was that you said about being outnumbered?"

And that's how you ended up pinned to a wall in a back alley of Santa Clara. Four vampires latched onto you, your head thrown back in bliss. Dwayne was still holding you from behind, fangs sunk into your right shoulder. David's on the left side of your neck. Paul's teeth were firmly sunk into your right wrist, and Marko, the little sadist bit into the pit of your left elbow.

David was the last to let go, hearing your heart slow down a little too much for his liking. They couldn't lose you yet, not when you were this much fun. Besides, they didn't want t find out if your earlier threat was legit or not. You leaned further into Dwayne's bare chest, clinging to his warmth. He chuckled into your neck.

"You alright there sweetheart?"

You let out a huff, crossing your arms over your chest.

"Sorry, where you just fed on by four vampires after not having eaten all day? Give me a moment mate. Tonto puto vampiro!" You scolded.

Marko purred in your ear, "Damn, you can speak Spanish to me any day."

You giggled, pushing him off you.

"What are you?" Paul asked, looking up at you from where he now knelt before you.

You had to admit, he looked nice from down there.

"You taste divine." He praised.

You pushed up your skirt slightly, desperately pawing at you with his hands. he left little kisses that quickly turned into bites. You pushed his head down.

"Down boy!" You warned.

David had never seen his brother so blood drunk before. It was kind of amusing. Of course, they couldn't just let you go, not after this. But he caved when he looked into your eyes. They were glazed over and glossy, in a way he knew only he and his brothers could make you feel. HE had a proud smirk on his face. You finally squirmed out of Dwayne's grasp, a small whine leaving your mouth when you lost his body heat.

"Look at you, we've made a mess out of you. What do you say, boys, should we clean her up, or let everyone know she's ours?"

Marko was drooling at the thought of you wearing his mark, showing you off like a trophy. You didn't much mind it either, but then you remembered your brother. You sobered up quickly.

"Shit, my brothers gonna kill me!" You exclaimed.

You quickly grabbed your phone. turning the front-facing camera to you to check out the damage.

"Aye dios mio! Did you really have to bite that hard?" You chastised.

"Didn't hear you complaining Kitten, actually I'm pretty sure you were enjoying it more than us," David smirked.

"Puta de Sangre tonta! Wipe that smirk off your face!"

"Make me!" He teased.

But you were feeling bold tonight, or you could call it stupidity. You launched forward, gripping his face and pulling him into a violent kiss. He opened his mouth to allow you more access, his mistake. YOu bit down on his tongue hard, feeling the taste of it swirl around on your own. You pulled back with a smirk of your own.

"An eye for an eye, and all that." You winked.

The other boys were speechless. Paul wanted to take you right there, Marko was no better. The two practically climbing over each other to get to you. But Dwayne brought you all to your senses.

"Should've you be getting back to your friends?"

"Yes, thank you."

You frowned when you looked down at your arms.

"Shit, how am I supposed to hide these?"

Dwayne chuckled, shirking off his jacket and draping it over your shoulders. You blushed.

"Such a gentleman." You teased.

You leaned up to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"Bye boys, it's been fun. See you around."

And just like that, you were gone. You finally made your way to the van where the gang was waiting.

"Oh my god, there you are!" Caroline was the first to greet you.

Tyler looked up from his phone, about to call you for the 20th time.

"We thought you were dead." He chastised.

"Relax dad!" you joked.

They all pulled you into a hug, Matt handing you your leftover. As you dug in they all had one question on their mind. Who's jacket was that?

An: @vechkinfan I promise I'm writing more of my Lost Boy's Oc and Charlie soon. But I figured you might like to read this in the meantime. I had a lot of fun writing it.

[nothingeverlost]

Fic: Holding Hands (Benoit/Marta, Knives Out)

I was going to write a flash fic based on a prompt I got ‘he meets her mother.  ha! Flash fic.  In actually a little more than 3000 words that is clearly not only a first attempt at Cablanca, but also an attempt to deal with stress.

WARNING: fic deals with Covid 19, which might be too much for some people at the moment.

Takes place about a month after the movie. _____ Benoit grinned when his phone rang.  It was Marta’s phone calls in the middle of the day that made his isolation bearable.  He was not a man well built for quartine, no matter how resolute he was to write a book, and no matter how many push-ups he did in his free time.  He couldn’t stand more than an hour of tv a day, and there was only so much news he could read before wanting to pull the plug on his internet.  A week ago Marta had called him during her break; hospitals needed extra help and of course she’d been one of the first to answer the call.  The first time she’d had an actual question about a subpoena she’d recieved, but after that the calls had continued each day at the end of her shift.  They had talked of nothing in particular and everything except the virus for a half-hour while she sat in a park and he sat in his apartment.  

“From my window I can see a flowering quince.  The whole bush looks like it’s on fire with the most vivid of red flowers.  I shall attempt to send you a photograph if my neighbor’s cat ever decides to move off the fence.  He is rather blocking my view.”  He liked to have some pretty thought ready when she called, a reminder that not everything was as grim as respirator shortages and sore feet.

“Is this Mr. Blanc?”  The voice on the other end of the phone was not Marta, though there was a similarity in tone and accent.  He looked at the display on his phone; it did say Marta Cabrera.

“It is. May I ask who I have the pleasure of speaking with?”

“This is Elena Cabrera.  We’ve never met but my daughter has spoken of you.”  Her voice broke, just for a moment, barely more than a pause to draw in a breath, but it was enough to give him a clue.  Benoit sat on the closest surface, which happened to be the edge of his bed.

“Something’s happened to Marta.”  Talking with Marta every day was a delight in its own right, but it was also an affirmation that she was alright.  Tired and sore and worried, but whole and healthy despite the risks compounding daily.

“She was going to stay home today because she wasn’t feeling well, but this morning she started coughing and couldn’t catch her breath.  There’s an oxygen tank at the house and she thought that might be enough but it wasn’t helping.  She needs a ventilator.”  

“She’s at the hospital?”  He closed his eyes, almost able to feel her small cold hand in his as they sat in plastic chairs in a waiting room, waiting to hear a prognosis.  She wasn’t Fran, though. ��It wasn’t the same.

“She’s on her way.  We had to call an ambulance.”  For a moment there was no noise; he almost thought he could hear Elena’s heartbeat.  Maybe it was his own.  “I thought you should know.  Marta told me that you two had been talking.”

“You have raised a very intelligent daughter, Mrs. Cabrera.  A very kind and compassionate woman, not that I need to tell you that.  She is also strong.”  He was reminding himself more than her. “Thank you for calling me.”

“I have to go now, Mr. Blanc.  I don’t want her to be alone.”

“It’s Benoit, please, and if there is anything I can assist with please don’t hesitate to call.”

He spent a full minute staring out the window; from his seated position he could only see one flower on the bush.  The next minute he was on his computer, and relieved to find that despite so many businesses being shuttered he was still able to find a flight that left in a little over two hours.  He could be at Marta’s side by tonight.

He always kept a bag packed, never knowing when he might be called out on a case.  There were no plants to water, no pets to worry about.  He took a few minutes to find his copy of Chandler’s Farewell My Lovely because he’d told Marta about it, but other than that it was ten minutes from the end of the phone call to locking the door to the apartment.  He hadn’t been outside for three days, except for late-night runs.

The roads were virtually empty, an eerie sight that he was grateful for as he headed for the airport.  It only took him fifteen minutes to drive, which wasn’t an accident.  He traveled enough that proximity to the airport had been one of his apartment requirements.  Likewise he flew enough that it was worth his time to pay for TSA preferred.  He made it to his flight with time to spare.

There were only a few dozen people on the flight, everyone sitting in their own row unless they traveled together and the flight attendants wearing gloves and masks.  He was glad that the amount of conversation that was required of him was minimal.  Usually he was glad to talk to a neighbor or exchange pleasantries with the attendants.  Since the New Yorker article he’d even had a few requests for autographs.  Today, though, his only interest was on getting off the plane, as if his added focus could somehow make the plane land just a little earlier.  He politely refused a drink and pretzels.

The sky was just shading to dusk when he drove his rental car to the hospital.  It was the same place he’d been to before, the same place where Fran had died.  Marta wasn’t Fran, though.  She hadn’t been poisoned.  No one had tried to kill her.  No one he could fight, at least.  No enemy he could put his hands on and pummel to the ground.

“I’m looking for Marta Cabrera, please.”  

“I’m only allowed to give out information about patients to family members.”

“I am working with the police on an investigation.  Detective Blanc.”  If he thought he could have gotten away with calling himself family he would have, but he didn’t know if they would check with Marta’s mother.  Lieutenant Elliott, though, could probably be trusted to lie for him if necessary.

“Just a moment Detective.”  The nurse’s hand shook a little as she used the computer; too much coffee and not enough sleep was his guess.  She told him the room number and a moment later was answering the phone.  She probably didn’t hear his thank you.  Rather than waiting for an elevator he sprinted up three flights to stairs. 

A woman who looked too much like Marta to leave any doubt that she was Elena Cabrera was sitting next to a hospital bed talking in a low voice.  The only other person in the room was Marta herself.  Benoit didn’t know how a twin bed could make anyone look so small.  He knew she was only a few inches below his own modest height, but in the hospital gown with blankets pulled up to her chest she looked delicate and too pale.  On her left a machine beeped with proof that her too-big heart was beating.  On her right a machine assisted with her breathing.  From the doorway he couldn’t tell if she was conscious.

“Can I help you?”  Elana Cabrera stepped around the bed, standing in front of it with all the fierceness of a mama bear protecting her cub.  She all but obscured his view.

“Begging your pardon, ma’am, but I had hoped…”

“You’re Benoit Blanc.”  She tilted her head to the side, looking at him.  “I didn’t expect you to come here.”

He had been so focused on getting to Marta that it hadn’t occurred to him what it might look like when he showed up.  He had seen her a few times in the week after Ransom’s arrest, but then he had gone home, working two more cases in the past month before it had become obvious that he needed to stay at home.  They had talked about the case a few times over the phone.  Outside of this past week he wasn’t sure most people would call them friends even.

He couldn’t get her out of his head, not since that first moment he’d seen her foot bouncing on the floor, this woman with a kind heart so obviously grieving for a friend more than anyone in the Thrombey family grieved.  His first instinct, even after seeing the blood drop on her shoe, had been to protect her from a wake of vultures.

“I thought I might see for myself if you or your daughter needed anything.”  As if he’d just come across town to visit, not on a plane from eight states away.  “How is she?”

“They gave her something to help with the fever but she needed the ventilator to help her breathe.  She’s awake sometimes, but can’t talk.  You sit with her, I’ll go find another chair.”

“Please, let me go.  I did not mean to deprive you of either a chair or time at your daughter’s side.”

“I need to stretch my legs a little and get some coffee.  You’ll stay until I get back at least?”

“I’ll stay.”  He had no intention of leaving, not anytime soon.  After Elena left he dropped his travel bag in the farthest corner of the room.  He stopped long enough to take out a book before slipping into the only chair in the room.  Marta’s eyes were still closed.  Her hand rested against the blanket close enough that he could take it in his own if he dared.

“I believe I mentioned the other day a need to take care of yourself.  You said you were safe with your masks and your gloves.”  He had barely dared mention his concern for her safety.  “This is not what taking care of yourself looks like.”

An overwhelming need to touch her drove him into taking her hand.  It was cold, but her hand was always cold.  She wore sweaters even in the summer, she’d told him.  His own hand was far from cold and he wrapped it around her fingers, willing his heat into her hand.  His life force too, if need be.

“I hoped to see you again, but it was my intention to ask you to dinner.  Someplace nice, where I would hold out the chair for you and tell you how beautiful you looked.”  She always looked beautiful, even now with the medical tape on her cheek and the shadows under her eyes.  He wondered how much was being sick and how much was working too hard.  Would he ever get to see her when she was simply relaxed and happy?  “Truth be told I was working on an excuse to come up here.  It would have been only polite to call if I was to return to the area for a job.  Someone offered me a case in Connecticut and that’s practically next door.”

Marta’s eyelashes fluttered; he held his breath to see if she would open her eyes.  She didn’t.  

“You’ve had so many changes these last weeks.  I didn’t want to complicate things but dinner wouldn’t be too much, would it?”

“I’m afraid the only dinner she’s having today comes in an IV drip.”  A nurse, mask over her face and gloves on, came into the room.  

“How is she?”

“We’ve been able to bring down her fever, and that’s a good sign.  We’re pushing fluids, since there was some dehydration.  That could be the fever or it could be that she’s been worrying hard and not taking enough breaks for food and water.”  The nurse changed the nearly empty saline bag for a full one.  “If she fights half as hard for herself as she does her patients she’ll be fine.”

“Did you hear that darling?  You’re a fighter, and you need to beat this thing.”  When the nurse was gone he squeezed Marta’s hand, talking to her in a low voice.  

“I need…”  He needed her.  It was as simple and as complicated as that.  His life was a nomadic one, going where the cases called him.  The last time he’d sat beside a hospital bed had been more than ten years ago when he’d bid adieu to his mama, the last solid tie he’d had.  He’d dated occasionally but never anything serious enough to look at jewelry.  At some point he’d just assumed that he was past the age of considering marriage.

And then he’d met Marta.  He wanted everything with her. He wanted to pick up his entire life and move it to wherever she wanted to be.  He wanted to court her like she deserved, wanted to hold her hand, wanted to know what it was like to kiss her.  Now he just wanted her to breathe.  “You just keep fighting, like this blasted virus is Thrombey kin, you hear?”  

He spoke to her of the flowers he’d seen from the window of his apartment and the woman who walked her small dog every day no matter the weather.  Nothing of consequence, but talking was easier than silence.  When Elena returned she carried two coffees and offered one to him.

“I have sugar and powdered creamer if you need anything.  Someone will be in shortly with a second chair.”

“Black is fine, thank you.”  Reluctantly he let go of Marta’s hand and stood up.  “I do insist you take the chair, Mrs. Cabrera.”

“Elena please.”  She didn’t argue, collapsing into the chair.  “Did she wake up at all?”

“No, but the nurse was in to change the IV and said her fever is improving.”  He wanted to pace but only allowed himself to walk to the other side of the bed.  

“Thank God for that.”  Elena fingered a medallion hanging from a necklace.  “She was never sick very often as a child, not once we figured out her unique response to…”

“She is a very honest person who does not handle deception well.”  Honest.  Kind.  Perhaps it was the fact that she was so different from the people he met during the course of his work that drew him to her.  Or perhaps it was just her.

“She’s a good girl.”  Elena’s voice shook.  Benoit scrambled for something to say to help her steady herself.

“I bet you have a few good stories to tell about her childhood.  I would be indebted to you if you told me one or two; I do so love a good story.”  With perfect timing an orderly brought in a chair and he settled in.  “Nothing that would embarrass her, of course.”

“You and my daughter…”

“Friends, ma’am.”  For the moment it was the only truth, but that didn’t stop him from resting his hand over her fingers, keeping away from the IV needle at the back of her hand.

Elena told stories, and he added a few from his own childhood in exchange.  By the time the hospital was quieting down he was able to convince her that she should go home and get some sleep.  He could be trusted to sit with Marta.

“Where are you staying while you’re here?” She asked as she stood near the doorway, looking at her daughter and having trouble leaving.

“I am well used to sleeping in chairs.  I’ll get some sleep when I need it.”  Staying up for a couple of days wasn’t uncommon in his line of work.  

“When I come back in the morning you’ll go get some rest at our house.  Marta’s house.  You know there are plenty of rooms.”  She touched his arm, reminding him for a moment of his own dead mama.  “You won’t help her by exhausting yourself.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Benoit was four chapters into Fairwell My Lovely when he looked up to find Marta looking at him.  The book almost fell from his hold.  “Hey there sleeping beauty.”

When she struggled to speak he leaned in, touching her cheek lightly with his fingers.  “You have a ventilator, which is why you can’t talk.  Your mama was here with you all day but went home to sleep and report back to your sister.  You missed our phone call today so I thought I’d drop in and see how you were doing.  Everyone is fine.  You’re going to be fine.”

She looked confused, but he didn’t know if it was his presence that was the issue or her location.  “Do you need me to find a nurse?”

Slowly she shook her head.  

“Call your mother?”  Again a shake.

“I was reading that Chandler novel I told you about, shall I continue?”  The nod of her head was barely perceptible.  He settled back in, holding the book higher so he could look at her and the page.  His free hand touched hers and after the first few lines he could feel her squeeze his fingers.

It was three days later when the doctor decided that she was responding well enough to treatment that she should be able to breathe on her own.  He waited outside the room while they took out the tube, frowning at the coughing and listening for the sounds of breathing even though he was too far away to distinguish her breathing from anyone else in the room.  When he returned she had a cannulas in her nose for oxygen.

“You’re here.”  Her voice was raspy and dry.  It was the best sound he’d ever heard.

“Did you think I would make my exit without letting you know?”  In the last three days he’d only left the hospital twice, both times to sleep in a guest room of the former Thrombey mansion.

“No, I mean you came here.”  Elena quietly got up from the chair beside her daughter’s bed.  

“I’ll be back in a few minutes.  I need something,” she said vaguely.  Benoit moved closer to the bed.

“I couldn’t be anywhere else.  You mean a great deal to me, Marta Cabrera.”  It was as much as he dared to say.  

“I thought I dreamed you.  Your voice…” she coughed, seeming to have trouble catching her breath.

“I don’t believe anyone has confused me for a dream before.”  He held a glass of water for her, letting her take a small sip.  It seemed to help.

“I missed you.”  Her eyes closed for a moment but then opened again.  He could look at her eyes forever.

“I missed you too.”  There were a million other things he wanted to say but they could wait.  They had time.  When he sat down beside her bed she held his hand and for the moment it was everything.

[unrequitedmime]

The ground shakes from the force of the hit. Sapphire cries out as she goes flying, splatting in the trembling mud of the camp. The breath is knocked from me as the entire world shakes, and I only just manage to steady myself before it falls silent. And then the screams begin. They are distant, almost unrecognisable in the wind, but they are loud for those who know to listen. Every single soldier around me freezes at the sound, their muscles shifting into defence mode and readying weapons that appear from folds of clothes I did not even know existed. In the small path that I stand in, the silver of blades and swords and guns and axes suddenly shine in the sunlight. The screams are not from this camp. They are from another one, a distant war camp. All I can recognise are the screams of terror and the roars of battle. And then I look around and notice that every single soldier is watching me. Waiting for my instructions, my reaction, my power. The gesture makes my knees weak. They see me with Damion, their General Commander, so they assume that I hold authority in this war. I do not. But people are dying. "What camp is that coming from?" I manage, my voice hardening into something I do not recognise as I shift my own stance. A cold begins to fill my veins; something I have never felt before. A deadly sort of focus. As Sapphire rises, covered in mud, she ignores it and she turns to me. I realise that she is awaiting my command, too. I have no power in these camps! Why do they think me- "It's coming from the West," A woman calls, "So it will be an Idal camp." Sapphire freezes. She goes so utterly still that I am afraid she has left her very body. Every soldier watches her reaction and mine. One full blooded Idal, and one hybrid. "Which one?" Sapphire suddenly demands, voice hard as steel as she focuses on calming her breathing. I can hear other soldiers running through the camp around us, but in this clearing no one moves one muscle as they watch Sapphire transform into a machine. Someone clears their throat before calling, "Most likely Camp Kuno." The camp of the Water Idal's. Sapphire's family and community. "Get there now," Her growl rips across the clearing for one split second before she shifts to her people, disappearing into thin air. We all heard the fear in her snarl. The terror. The soldiers shift without hesitation, responding to orders as swiftly as they can. Within seconds, they disappear and I am left alone. I do not hesitate before breaking into a sprint. I almost fall into Damion's tent as I enter, and I find him and a dozen other war commanders arguing and pacing and sharpening weapons. In the midst of the action and arguments stands my sister and Jeremy. And another girl. I knew Damion had retrieved Elana yesterday. He had asked me to come and greet her, to meet my youngest sister. I refused. I stride to Archery, shoving aside old men and their swords before stopping right in front of her. She stares down at me, face blank. We have not said one word to each other since our fight a few days ago. When we glanced at each other then, it was hatred that shone in our eyes. Now, with the Idal screams ringing in our ears, it is nothing but united focus. "There are two towers on each side of that camp," I breathe, "One to the West, and one to the East." The girl - Elena, my sister - stands beside Archery and peers at my face with an open curiosity. In the small glances that I have stolen, it has been gathered that this sister is the softest of us. Rosy cheeks and doe eyes and pink lips and a round face. A lovely sort of beauty. I wonder which power she dominates. I am fire, Archery is darkness, and I hope that Elena is something softer. There are already two toxic sisters, we do not need another. "I take West," I whisper, my voice steady. She does nothing but nod slightly. Before we can shift away, Jeremy's fingers wrap around Archery's upper arm. She glances down at it irritably. "Wait," Jeremy almost hisses, his entire body trembling in barely controlled restraint. There are Idal's dying out there, and he has been told - by Damion no doubt- to wait for orders. He knows we have to wait, too. "There's no time-" "Damion has orders for you two," He insists, the darkness clouding chocolate eyes as he stares down at me. Archery watches his gaze carefully, almost captivated by the night shining between his lashes. I ignore him, stepping back and rising on my tip toes to spot Damion in the tent. There; on the other side. He stands near his bed, sliding knives and daggers into his fighting leathers faster than I can count. "Damion!" I call, voice sharp yet calm. Despite the sea of voices shouting for the General Commander's attention, he glances up only at the sound of my voice. His eyes find mine, and there is no warmth or easiness in those green depths. His entire face is a mask of deadly focus and wrath. Damion has slipped away, and in his place stands the youngest and most powerful General Commander in the history of Ponda. The breath is knocked from me for one moment, and I struggle to remember my words. I gulp, "We know what to do," I do not yell the words, I almost whisper them. But he understands. I get nothing but a slight nod before he turns around. I turn back to Jeremy, Archery, and my new sister. I cannot help but notice that Jeremy's fingers are still upon Archery's skin. I am surprised she has not cut them off yet. She only stares at me, all three of them do. "Lilanna-" Jeremy warns with a growl. I cut him off by finally turning to the girl beside Archery. For one second of stillness, I study my youngest sister. 18 years old. Two years younger than me, and three younger than Archery. She stares back at me, her eyes shining bright and brown. A hazel colour like mine, but where my gaze is fierce and heated, hers is soft and welcoming. Cheekbones not as sharp as Archery nor I's, but instead a rounder face to match her eyes. She is as tall as I, and her hair is the exact same shade if not one lighter than my own strands. Within a day of arriving in this camp, both Archery and I took a fancy to fighting leathers for the comfortability and swiftness. But Elena still wears a light pink dress. "It is nice to meet you," I breathe to her, "I'm Lila." She manages a small smile. It is more beautiful than any Archery or I could ever create. "Elana," She introduces herself. Her voice reminds me of blooming flowers. "I've heard a lot about you." I try ignore that as I turn back to Archery. I do not want to know what has been said about me. "I take West, you take East." She raises an eyebrow, "And we attack?" "We defend." She nods in understanding. I glance across the room, and for a moment, in the space between moving bodies, I catch sight of Damion. He glances up just as I feel the world start to disappear around me, and the last thing I see before I shift away from that tent is his face. And the green of his gaze. --------------------------------------------- I arrive in the tower with a jolt, accidentally shifting into nothing but air and dropping a few metres onto the platform. My knees jolt at the impact, but I stand swiftly and stride to the edge of it. The first thing that hits me is the noise; the screams, the roars, the fire, the bombs. The entire camp is in ruins. Battles wage below and above. I have never seen this camp before now, but I know from looking at it now that even in the month of war it became a seamlessly beautiful one dancing with nature. Fires burn through it now, flames rising and roaring over the sound of screams. If I look carefully, from this height I can spot people running through the paths with both blades and water glistening in the broad sunlight. Ponda soldiers fighting beside water Idal's to save lives. And then one of the largest tents explodes into flames. I am thrown to the ground from the impact, and for a moment I drown in the sound of the screams. I jump to my feet with a gasp and race to the edge of the tower, staring in horror as Idal's from all areas of the camp change directions and sprint in panic to the flaming fire, their water glistening and sprouting from their fingertips in desperation. I know, somehow, that the tent now in flames was the medical tent. No other tent would trigger that reaction. I glance above me, and my blood runs cold. Above is a fleet of war ships. Floating boats with sails and masks that whip in the wind. I do not want to think about the amount of magic Kidna possesses to float those ships midair. Flowing around those ships are Kidna soldiers. They fly. I know that Kidna was harnessing The Oxy's power, but I did not think they would train their own soldiers to manipulate the magic into flight. The soldiers dip and whizz through the air as swiftly as eagles, gliding down low to release a shower of daggers and bullets upon the distracted Idal's. The flying Kidna soldiers are going to wipe out the water Idal legion with their deadly accuracy. I glance into the distance, my blood racing as I search for the other tower. I spot it, but I cannot tell if Archery shifted to the right place and stands upon it. I glance up into the sky and send up a quick and small flare of fire. In the midst of this battle, no one will notice unless they are looking. I pray Archery is looking. After one moment of nothing, I see it. A bursting star in the air above the Eastern tower. She is there, and she is ready. Without responding, I glance up at the legion of ships, studying the dip of the soldiers and their pattern of attack. I pick it up after one minute. They dip all at once, attacking the Idal and Ponda forces by overwhelming and outnumbering. Their shots are quickly killing hundreds, and if the Kidna soldiers get a chance to shoot one more time, I know all chances of Idal survival will be lost. A bang sounds in a clearing of the camp, and I glance down to find nearly one hundred soldiers shifting in and springing into battle. I know without thinking that it is Damion's closest commander's and generals. For a moment I think I hear Damion's battle cry amongst the roars. My mind stretches across the camp, and I find Archery's presence in less than a second. When I say go, I breathe to her focused thoughts, Go. She does not respond, too focused on the seconds passing and the magic radiating from my tower. She is awaiting my signal without any other words in her mind. I find my own mind and watch the Kidna soldiers. I know what they do. They swing up into the air, take a collective pause, and then they swoop. I wait for it. Swing up. I part my feet and roll my shoulders. Something deep within me stirs to life. Pause. The power flickers all the way down to my fingertips. Swoop. I release my magic with a roar. GO! Before the army of Kidna soldiers can reach the camp, I use almost all of my power to throw a protective forcefield around it. Almost instantly, another forcefield stretches around the camp right beneath mine, stretching across it to thicken the barrier. It comes from the Eastern tower, and I do not bother glancing over to check for Archery. My entire mind focuses on the strength of that barrier. The Kidna soldiers do not see it at first, and each and every single one of them smash into it at full speed before it sparks and throws them back from it with a violent force. I feel each and every hit like they are pricks of needles against my skin, and I clench my teeth to fight the distraction of the pain. I glance up and realise that my shield shines bright orange above the midnight blue tint of Archery's. The colours should create a brown tinge, but instead they shine together and against one another simultaneously. When you glance up, somehow you can see through the midnight blue to the flaming orange of my essence and catch the sunlight shining through both. The shine it casts upon Camp Kuno shouts that it is a powerful and ethereal magic. Something otherworldly. I feel it rip through me; the intensity of the magic swirling through my veins. It is so hard to contain that I fight the urge to curl in on myself, and the fizzling in my blood does not seem natural. I ignore it, this entirely strange and demanding magic coursing through my veins, laughing and dancing and roaring. It seems to whisper to me, amused by my measly mortal body summoning such intense power. I ignore the silky voice, unorthodox and godly. It only laughs when I clench my jaw and stand straighter, sending more power out. For some strange reason, the voice of the magic cooperates, allowing my body to release more power and strengthen the barrier as soldiers shoot at it over and over again. Below us, I see that Damion's group of superior's have dispersed through the many paths of the camp and invest in their own battles or rescue missions. I cannot see Damion in the midst, and I do not even bother trying. Despite the block of aerial forces, the camp is still grossly outnumbered. Every which way, Ponda or Idal soldiers are cut down by the overwhelming troupes of Kidna men. And then the other Idal's shift in. They are clearly Idal's from the closest camp, because their powers shine bright and clear in the light of the day. Dreamers. The Dreamers have come. All around the camp, white clouds suddenly appear in the streets. The army of Dreamer Idal's send the Kidna soldiers disorientating hallucinations before appearing in enemy faces and striking with blades. I know of the Dreamer fighting style; disorient and weaken before slicing. Amongst the white clouds, travelling in one distinct cluster as if surrounding a striding Idal, a smoky shadow teeming with night engulfs Kidna soldiers in it's path and leaves behind skeletons. Jeremy has finally been given his orders. I focus on the battle below as I watch the Dreamer Idal's shift the tides of the camp, efficiently taking down enemy soldiers without thought before sliding along to the next victim. Very slowly, Kidna soldiers begin to drop. And then the ships drop three bombs from above. I feel the blows like bullet wounds in my gut, and the jagged scream is ripped from my lips just as I collapse to my knees. My shreik echoes across the camp. Fire burns through every single pore of my skin, so strong that I think for one moment that I am actually on fire. The pain is so strikingly intense that for a moment it blinds me, and my entire world flickers in and out of darkness. As my vision flickers, as does my shield. It stutters for a few moments before weakening to nothing but a sliver, and in my moment of vulnerability the Kidna soldiers pounce upon it. They ram it over and over again with battle cries that ring out. On top of the agony rippling through my gut from those bombs, the stabs of the Kidna soldiers is enough to black out the entire world. I try to croak something as I pass out. All that escapes is a strangled noise. I am only unconscious for a few moments, but is is enough for the force of the Kidna soldiers to wear down on Archery's shield. I come to with an agonised moan, and I suddenly drown again in the noise of the battle. I ignore the ache that pounds through my veins and drag myself to the railing, standing heavily against it. It takes a few moments for my world to come into focus, and by then I already feel it. The warm trickle down my abdomen. I glance down and flinch when I find three gaping wounds on my stomach. The blood soaks the entire front of my leathers and slowly drips onto the ground. In my moment of shock, I accidentally project the image to the last mind I connected to. I hear her sharp intake of breath as she is hit with the image of my shredded stomach. "Idiot," She hisses to my mind, panic clear in her voice, "You threw too much of your essence into that barrier. When the shield was bombed, so were you!" I blink away the red hazing my vision and shake my head, "I'm fine," I manage to croak to her mind, "Just focus." I cannot feel the pain of my abdomen, and the loss of blood does not make my knees tremble, so I am good to keep fighting. I hold one shaky hand against the blood flow to slow it. And then I take a deep breathe and cast my power out yet again. The orange shield locks back into place, thicker and brighter this time than last. "Stop!" Archery growls to my mind, "You are throwing your life essence into that shield again. They are going to bomb it, and it will kill you this time, Lilanna!" "Shut up," I snarl, "Just FOCUS!" She growls but does not fight again. "Jeremy," I whisper into the void of minds around me, searching for my friend. I find him within one moment, and when I find his mind it is a mess of darkness and deception. A storm of night. There is no way I can penetrate that and talk to him. He is something unrecognisable right now. So I search for someone else. I do not even whisper his name before finding his mind. I find it in the darkness with a startling ease, following nothing but the tug in my chest and the warmth that seeps into my mind as I near it. "Damion," I breathe, a barely managed wheeze that he has no chance of hearing. Somehow, he hears it. "Lila," The sound of his thoughts is something harsh, dark, as he fights with killing calm in this battle, "Are you hurt?" I find it in his memories, so fresh and raw. His battle a few moments ago. The swift slice of his blade as he cuts down soldier after soldier in his way. He is war incarnate. Fighting without thoughts and shifting into another mode that does not let him exist as anything but a General Commander trying to win a battle. The way he fights is like nothing I have ever seen before. There are no noises in his mind but the clash of swords and his grunts as he is hit. And then above him the bombs explode against the orange shield the same time a broken and agonised scream echoes across the entire camp. My scream. I blink out of his memory with a gasp and find myself back in the tower, blood soaking my skin. I glance down at my stomach in worry as I stumble back, and I do not realise I am still connected to Damion's mind until I feel his entire essence recoil at the sight of the wounds that shred my skin. Even from the tower, I feel his body freeze in his battle, deadly still as he watches a sword swing towards his face. And then he shifts. He appears in front of me drowning in mud and someone else's blood. I do not have time to blink before his fingers are on my wrists, pulling my hands away from my wounds to inspect them. His face is dark, intense, powerful. I keep my power trained on the barriers, but I cannot bring myself to look away from his face. "What happened?" He breathes, voice dark and deadly with rage. It is not directed at me. "Don't worry about it," I breathe, strands of my braid dancing away from my breath. "Lila-" His anger simmers.   "You need to destroy those ships," I interrupt, voice calm and demanding as I flick my chin up to the war ships, "If they keep releasing bombs these shields aren't going to last." He glances up, studying the ships with his fingers still wrapped around my wrists. I watch his adams apple bob as he swallows. "Jeremy," I suggest heavily, "Jeremy will take them out within seconds. He is the only one." Damion shakes his head, kneeling to study my oozing wounds, "He is in another form of power. He is unreachable." "I'll reach him-" "You can't," Damion interrupts, ripping a sleeve off his fighting leathers, "No one can possibly reach through that darkness and pull Jeremy out right now." Damion ignores the battle beneath him as he wraps his long sleeve around my torso to slow the bleeding. I turn away from him but let him resume, steadying my power as I fight the pain of the Kidna soldiers attacking my shield. I know that if they do not stop within a few seconds my skin will begin to bleed. Archery is right. I have thrown too much of my essence into those shields that I have become them. But the entirety of my essence is the only thing keeping the power under my control. If I need to bleed to save these people, I know I will bathe in it. He turns me back around, and before he can growl out an order to leave this battle and find a healer, I speak. "Archery can." "What?" Even as he speaks to me, his eyes track the battle behind me. "Archery can get through the darkness," I breathe, "She can find him and give the order." "How?" Because a large part of her is darkness, too. They are the same; they both belong to the night. "She can find him. I know she can." He studies me for a few moments before nodding and stepping away.  "Tell her to drop her barrier while she does it. It will be easier to fight through Jeremy's defences with all of her focus. You will have to hold the shield on your own for a few minutes." I gulp. But when I speak, my voice is as sharp as lightning, "They need you out there. Go, now." "Ignore the pain and focus on the power that thrums through you," He turns to shift, but then looks back at me, "You are enough." His words are hard and steady as he speaks. And when he shifts away, it occurs to me that his voice is thunder to my own lightning. We are a perfect storm. "Archery," I call out to her mind, and she responds immediately, "We need Jeremy to take down the ships. You have to reach inside of his mind and find him. Fight your way past the darkness and tell Jeremy what to do. Let your shield down and do it. Now." She does not hesitate before slipping away from my mind. A moment later, her midnight blue flickers away, and I almost stumble from the support my shield loses. For these few minutes, I am all that stands between life and death for the hundreds of people down in that camp. I wonder why Archery did not ask why she was chosen to find Jeremy's essence. Perhaps she knows why. ----------------------------------------------- As the last ship explodes into darkness, the Kidna soldiers pause in their strikes against my shield. They all stop to stare as Jeremy turns their last battle ship into crumbling black sand. And then, without warning, they flee. Each and every single one of them disappear into thin air until there is nothing left in the sky but Jeremy's descending shadows as he free falls. He shifts right before he hits the shield, and the shadows whip back to life on the Eastern tower as he lands. The next five minutes are silent as the water Idal's flush out any remaining fires. And then, one by one, every single fighting soldier shifts away. I do not know which camp they go to, but both Ponda and Idal forces haul ass. Within five minutes the entire camp is empty save for me on the West tower, Archery and Jeremy on the East, and a brooding General Commander. As soon as the last Idal shifts away, Archery and I release the shields. As they crumple away, so does my strength. I slide to my knees with a weak moan, leaning back against the railing as my hands press on my wounds, drowning my palms in my own blood. I do not move for a long time. I know that on the other tower Archery and Jeremy sit in similar positions, drowning in their exhaustion. Only Damion keeps moving. I can feel him, somehow. He strides through the camp, tearing it apart as he searches for any hiding enemies or trapped Idal's. He sends out the small streak of power that Ponda's possess, searching for a presence that he does not find. He rides on his adrenaline and that alone. Soon it will crash. Soon he will do what Jeremy, Archery and I are doing. I wonder if I will bleed out on this tower. I summon enough strength and bravery to begin stripping off my fighting leathers. Every single movement makes my muscles ache and my wounds ripple with agony, but I clench my teeth and don't stop until I sit without a shirt, laying against the railing with jagged breaths. I glance down and study my bare torso. Three wounds shine ruby red and shredded. They are not as precise as stab wounds, nor bullet wounds. They are not deep enough to have hit organs, but instead they are wide and festering circles of flesh that shine on my abdomen. I glance at my arms. They started bleeding a long time ago, before Jeremy even began attacking the ships. The blood does not run, but ruby dots of blood spot my arms in small clusters. The blotches are so unusual that the image disturbs me, and I have to look away. I find Damion leaning on the other railing, arms crossed as he watches me. His green gaze is heavy as it studies me, taking in the extent of my stomach wounds and the unusual dots on my arms. The last thing he observes is my sweat stained and dirty face. I stare back. "A gentlemen would at least help me to my feet," I manage with a tired croak. He strides to me, grabbing my arms and hauling me to my feet. I hiss as the pain rips through me and glare at him. He does nothing but tug me closer, my hands buried beneath his. His green gaze drowns me as he looks down into my eyes. "Don't ever do that again," He demands, rough and angry. "What?" "Try to hide your injuries." "I didn't!" I object, "I showed them to you!" "That was an accident and you know it," He growls, dangerously close to my face. I fall silent, watching him. He is right. It was an accident. He is quiet for a long time before speaking, "You saved us today." His hands slowly let go of mine and come to rest against my wounds. I do not know why, but I do not flinch from his touch. "I just helped." "No," His voice is hoarse, unrecognisable as his hands begin to warm. My eyes flutter closed, and I know that he is healing me somehow. "You saved all of us, Lilanna. You did it." I manage to open my eyes, and I stare up into his expression. It is harsh, and dark, and brooding. The planes of his face are sharp, and dirt dances along his golden skin. In the fray of battle, his hair became a caramel mess of blood and dirt. I have never seen anything as intense and deep as his eyes, and I cannot speak for a moment as I stare at him. He stares back unflinchingly, unafraid. His hands are soft against my pain and the embrace of his body warms my cold and tired blood. The sunlight behind him shines down upon us, and we glow in the brilliance of it. "You are enough," He whispers. The world shatters into darkness as he shifts us away. ---------------------------------------------- "Where is your coat?" His voice is a smooth greeting in the cold air. I do not turn around to face him, only stare out at the ruins of the camp. In the darkness, I can see nothing but what is illuminated in the moonlight. Nothing down there but disfigured shapes and still burning embers. I glance up at the moon, studying the empty air that six hours ago held mine and Lila's shields. I study the darkness of the distance, trying to spot the Western tower that my sister fought from. I find nothing but stars and night. "Go away," I breathe to the boy of darkness behind me. He ignores me as he steps forward, slowly walking to the rail I lean against and mirroring my stance. His elbows rest on it as he studies the stars that shine above us. I do not look away from the distance. The cold wind pierces my skin and it flutters stray hairs from my face. In my peripheral, I see Jeremy watch my raven strands dance in the moonlight. "Damion sent me to find you," Is all he says, voice blank and bored. Why do they keep doing that? Why do they keep choosing one of us to find the other? "What does your General Commander want?" He shrugs, shifting to face me, "To talk about the extent of our powers, I guess. And probably to lecture us on safety." "Safety?" "Lila," The one word is explanation enough, "I think he was as mad at her as he was scared." "More scared, I think," My voice is a featherlike whisper. Jeremy does not respond to my implicit accusation. His loyalty to the General Commander is blinding and pathetic. Like a dog to it's master. "How did you do it?" He asks suddenly. "Do what?" "How did you get through the darkness and find me today?" I finally glance at him. His gaze is dark, and mine is steady. "I walked." He blinks in surprise, eyes flicking across my expression and studying me as if I am a puzzle to be solved. I fight the urge to grimace before pushing away from the railing and striding to the centre of the tower. I do not face him as I wait for him to catch up with me before I shift. I do not know why I wait for him. I do not know why I do a lot of things around him. His hand wordlessly slips into mine, and I try not to flinch from the unexepected touch. I don't quite succeed, and he freezes, watching me carefully as if that small wince was a secret that I gave to him; a piece of my past. I scowl. It was not. It is a secret I will give to no one. "Let's go," I growl, too tired to shift both of us. He only stares, "You know," He says softly, "You could be nicer to her." I blink blankly, confused. "Lila," The one word, again, is explanation enough. I hear the softness of his voice when he says her name. I do not know if it is friendly or loving. I do not care to know. "We have no time to be nice. This is war." His eyes flash, but he continues, "Your sister is trying her best-" "Lila," I emphasise her name purposely, and judging by the way his eyes narrow, he understands. I cannot stand it when people call her my sister. She is anything but. "Whether you like it or not, Archery," His voice is sharp, "Lila is your sister. Through and through." "We are NOT family-" "You are two halves of the same coin!" He snaps finally, his icy tone shifting into a brutal and frustrated yell, "You cannot continue denying that you care for her, Archery! Only people that love each other fight like cats and dogs." My words shrivel up and die. Only people that love each other fight like cats and dogs. Jeremy, the stupid, insufferable bastard, has the audacity to think back on his words and blush. Even in the moonlight, I can see the strawberry red that flushes through his smooth and pale skin. I hate him. I hate him for blushing. "No such thing as love," is all I say, ripping my hand from his and shifting without another word. The last thing I see before the void is his wild expression. Messy curls and flushed cheeks and eyes wide with recognition. Because Damion said those exact words to Lila a week ago. And we all know he did not mean them. --------------------------------------- Damion strides into the tent last. Almost. He looks tired. So, so tired. His hair is a mess and dirt dances along his usually shining skin. His eyes, usually bright and shining, are dull. He runs a hand through his short locks before scanning the room. His steps freeze as he counts all of us and finds one missing. Archery leans against the back wall, Elana sitting amongst the cushions in front of her. I stand by the table, barely managing to stand. Rafeal stands on the other side of the table, eyes idly drifting by the reports that litter it. I know he is not truly reading the information. I don't even think he realises he is in this room with all of us. Lila will be pleased that he's here, though. Her soft spot for him is so obvious it's almost embarrassing. My lips twitch just thinking about it. "Where's Lila?" Damion asks, voice rough. Rougher than usual. Neither of her sister's even glance up at Damion's words, so I clear my throat and shrug, "Probably sleeping. She could hardly walk after the battle today." "None of us could," He instinctively scolds, frowning and irritable as he walks to his desk, "That's not an excuse." Silence. "Should I get her?" I ask carefully. I can feel Archery's gaze heavy on my back, and I want to kick myself for sounding like a student talking to a mentor. A nervous pup. I admire Damion, but I do not think of him as a superior figure. I cannot seem to convince anyone of that. Or myself. Damion sighs, shaking his head, "No," He gives up, "Let her sleep." "Blatant favouritism," Archery calls in her blank voice, "If she is allowed to sleep, then I will be excusing myself now to go and rest." She takes a step to the door, but Damion's snarling voice stops her cold, "YOU did not nearly bleed to death while saving that entire camp. She gets to sleep. You stay here." Archery watches him for a very long and still moment before slowly stepping back to her position. Despite the insult he threw at her, something like smug victory shines on her face. She looks to me as if she has proven a point. I ignore it. Damion turns to me, "Jeremy," He addresses before turning to his papers, "You did well today. You singlehandedly took out an entire fleet of magic aerial ships," He meets my gaze for one moment over his shoulder, "That is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen." Something shines in me, and I cannot fight my grin. "Thanks," I nod back, "For trusting me with something important." Damion startles at my words, swiftly turning back to face me. He stares at me for a few long moments before opening his mouth. At first go, no words come out, but eventually he manages them. "Did you not think I trusted you?" He asks softly. This seems to be getting deep. I shrug, uncomfortable as I shift, "I'm an Idal," I explain. He blinks, "Jeremy you're the person I trust the most in this war." Now it's my turn to blink. "Oh," I mumble, my skin prickling with the compliment, "Cool. Thanks." Damion studies me for a few more moments before forcing himself to turn back to his papers. Despite the causality of the environment, I can feel my cheeks burning at his words. I did not consider myself even remotely important in this war. Knowing that I am trusted by the most important soldier in it... I can feel Archery's gaze on me again, but this time, for some strange reason, I know it is soft. Softer than she wants it to be. Damion opens his mouth to speak again, but suddenly Lila slips into the room. She does it quietly, without looking at anyone. But we all stop and stare. Tonight her hair is out, golden brown locks flowing freely down her back. The dirt and blood still stains the tips of it, but she does not even glance at it as she silently takes up a spot near Damion's bed. Damion stares at her for a few hard moments before speaking. "What's wrong?" Lila has never, not once, not even in the month we have been in this camp, silently entered Damion's tent. Every single time she has appeared in this room, she has burst in, body brimming with anticipation or anger or annoyance. She doesn't look up at his words nor his tone, "Nothing. I'm fine." She fiddles with her nails. Something about the movement is familiar. I stare at her fidgeting for a long time before she notices. Her hands ball into fists when she spots my gaze. I frown in worry before turning back to Damion. He watches Lila for one more moment before rolling his eyes and turning to face Archery and Elana. Archery stares at Damion with a blank expression, but Elana cannot take her eyes from Lila. Her face is awfully pale. "Archery," He calls, "You did well today. You and Lila saved lives, and I cannot thank you enough for that." She doesn't react. "I think-" He falters, "I think that from now on in battles you and Jeremy will do well to fight side by side." I blanch, "What?" Archery's face pales only slightly, but she does not move nor speak. "Why?" I blurt. Damion shrugs, "Jeremy, you are the most powerful full blooded Idal there is, and you work with night and terrors. It is obvious that Archery's dominant power is your darkness. Together, the two of you will be unstoppable. Terrifying." No one says a word. There is no point arguing. We both know he is right. Archery has an unbelievable ability to manipulate the same darkness that haunts me every day. If we were able to connect our energies on a battlefield, we would be a power of nightmares. Damion glances at Elana, "Elana, I think that you should start training with Lila. We do not know what your dominant power is, but Lila's is fire, so-" "Fire?" Elana rips her gaze away from a silent and hiding Lila to stare up at Damion. "What do you mean her power is fire?" Her voice trembles so much it is hard to understand her words. Damion frowns in confusion, flickering his eyes between Lila and Elana before speaking. As he does, Lila glances down at her watch, jaw clenched. I did not know Lila owned a watch. "She works with fire. Her essence burns with it; the flames." Elana stares at Lila for a long time. We all watch and wait, confused. Lila does not meet anyone's eyes, and instead glances at her watch again. I study the watch. I have seen it before. "Then why," Elana breathes ever so quietly, voice trembling, "Does her essence shine with dreams?" No one moves but me. I very slowly look at Lila. At her watch, at her fidgeting fingers. Lila looks up for one moment, as if the pull of my gaze is too much for her to resist. In her eyes, for one split moment, I see it. Something familiar. Something I could never forget even if I wanted to. My entire stomach drops. Before she can shift away, my power strikes out, hitting her square in the chest. She cries out as it wraps around her tight enough to suffocate, and I string my whip of darkness tighter. "Jeremy," She gasps through her pain as she falls to her knees. Archery positions herself in front of Elana without a thought, shifting into a defensive stance as she summons her own bolt of darkness. Whether to shoot me or Lila, she does not know. "Jeremy," Damion snarls, "What are you doing?" I ignore him, wrapping my darkness tighter around her chest. I know her limits. I know how long she can last without air, how hard I have to squeeze for her power to stutter to nothing. Just a little tighter. "Stop!" She tries to scream as I squeeze more, but nothing comes out. In her hazel eyes is pain and fear as she stares at me. She knows. She knows I recognise her. "JEREMY!" Damion snaps, stepping forward to shove me. Before he can, I squeeze tight enough. Lila finally releases a scream before it shatters. My whip loosens but does not disappear as Lila's image breaks to pieces. Kneeling in her place is a girl of chocolate skin and startlingly green eyes. Her hair, a beautiful mane of dark curls that I still dream about, hangs in a loose ponytail down her back. She looks up with a tear stained face, and something in me shatters. She still has her sun freckles. I forgot how beautiful she was. The tent is deathly silent. Damion adapts a predatory stillness as he stares at the girl watching me. I cannot move. Cannot breathe, cannot think. Waves roar in my ears. Memories almost blind me. Heartache almost chokes me. "Who," Damion breathes, "Are you?" And then I run. I do not look back or listen as Damion calls my name. I only sprint into the night, running as fast as my legs will possibly take me as the panic suddenly claws through my chest. It shreds me apart, cools my blood. I slip and slide in the mud as I pump my legs, but I do not slow. I cannot slow! My breath comes in jagged breathes and I almost sob as the realisation continues to pound through me. Please don't be too late. Please don't be too late. Please don't be too late. Oh, god. Oh, god, oh god, oh god, oh god- I send my power out as her tent comes into view, searching for her presence, her own magic. I find it. A flicker, dim and quiet and weak, but there. Alive. Here. I speed up with a gasp, running faster than I have in my entire life. I burst into her tent with a leap, my shadows immediately striking out to hit them, but the world suddenly slows around me. Until I am caught in the time she almost freezes. NO. NO! I should have known they'd bring her! I should have known they'd bring Georgia. And as the entire world slows, I have no choice but to watch. Watch my feet skid to a slow stop, watch my curling shadows swim as though air is water and my darkness is seeping ink. My head rises ever so slowly as Georgia manipulates time. And then I catch sight of the room. Lila, beaten and bloody, is tied up in silencing chains. The entire left side of her face is covered in blood that oozes like small rivers down her cheeks, and she is barely conscious. Her hair is matted with her own rudy red gore. Standing beside her, with his hand gripping my best friend's hips against him, stands Markos. His smirk is slow and evil in these hardly moving seconds. My mouth opens to scream, to roar, to sob. But my lips take almost years to open, and before I can even make one noise, they begin to shift. I can do nothing but watch my shadows strike towards them in slow motion as they disappear into the void. I meet Georgia's gaze just before her face disappears. Her deep brown eyes shine with regret, apologies. I feel my entire heart break in my chest. They finally shudder into nothing, and only when they disappear does time return to normal. I stumble to my knees with what turned out to be a scream, and my powers blast through the tent and hit nothing. The force of my darkness almost knocks the tent into nothing, but a moment later Damion appears behind me and rushes to steady the supports of Lila's room. I do not hear his panicked or confused words. Do not feel his rough grip as he drags me to my feet. I only see Lila, bloodied and beaten. Chained like an animal. Taken by Kidna. I should have known. I should have known the moment Annais began fiddling with her fingers! LILA DOES NOT FIDDLE WITH HER FINGERS! I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN- "JEREMY!" A new voice screams. Thin and cold fingers suddenly cradle my cheeks as my name is yelled again. That voice- it jerks me out of my mind. I startle, gasping back into the moment and finding my body again. Archery stares up at me, skin so startlingly cold that it is heaven upon my burning heart. "I-" I gasp, fighting the panic attack that threatens to shred me apart into nothing, "I should have known. I should have known! I was so close, so so close. I should have been faster, or smarter! I should have known!" My words sound like jagged sobs. Pieces of glass in my chest. "Jeremy," She says my name clearer this time, and I find the string of calm and power in her tone. I cling onto it as I fight the desperation and fear within me. My hands come up to lay over her own fingers, and I take deep breathes. "What happened?" She asks, "Where is Lila?" I cannot bring myself to speak, mind racing too fast. Where would they have taken her? Why? How did they know where she would be? How did they silence her powers so fast? How did they beat her? They're going to kill her- "Jeremy!" Archery snaps, dark eyes staring into my very soul, "Where is my sister!?" Sister. Where is my sister. "They took her," I manage hoarsely, choking on my words, "Kidna took her. They're gonna... they're gonna kill her, Archery!" I sound like I have been swallowing mirror shards. But that is only because I am drowning in my memories. In the pain I have fought so hard to block out, ignore, forget. Lila is going to live it. She is going to washed away in the things of my nightmares. "Oh, god," I whisper, trembling from head to toe, "They're going to break her." Archery's entire face stills. And then it shatters. She steps away from me without a word, and without her grasp I find myself falling to my knees. I have only enough strength to glance up and find Damion across the room. He stands frozen, so still that I am not sure if he is breathing. Terror shines clear on his face. Elana bursts into the tent behind us, chest heaving and face streaming with tears. I do not have the energy to speak. I cannot escape from the memories that begin to bloom in my brain. No, please no. Please no! I have spent a year trying to fight these memories. I have spent a year healing, removing them, forgetting. And now they're back. And they're drowning me. "It's not just Lila," Elana gasps, "It's more!" The panic in her voice is a dagger slicing across my skin, "They're taking so many more!" Damion is still for one singular moment before hurtling out of the tent, weapons drawn. Elana follows. Archery sinks to her knees in front of me, resting back on her heels as she stares into the distance, slumped over. "They took her where?" Her voice trembles. "I don't know." Silence. Around us, the camp echoes with shouts and flickers of power. "Is she going to die?" Archery asks, empty. I look up into her eyes. "No," I manage, "I think she's going to turn."   "What?" Archery flinches away from me. I do not care. I look down at my trembling hands. "I think they're going to turn her against Ponda," I look up one more time, "And then she'll destroy us."

unrequited 

[storywars-r]

8/30 - Lipstick Burns

(dimitra milan)

Chapter 1 by R

Katya ties her hair back in a thick, loose braid, so that it hangs down against the bare skin of her back. Her best friend's always been good with hair where she never has, preferring to leave her hair lying straight, not bothering to style it.

On the other hand, where she has a sense of style, Katya is completely lacking. The girl could never get a good grasp of color theory. Still, she has taste, and sees how well the suggested outfits work, even if they get a bit too daring for her liking.

They sit side by side in the mirror, adding on what makeup they have, which isn't much but it will more than make do. Katya smacks her lips, bright red, and presses them to her shoulder, leaving a crisp mark, and laughs.

She doesn't wipe it off, instead taking the tube of lipstick and painting her own lips the same color. She grins.

It's their night, after all, sneaking out of the school for some fun on the town. There isn't much, but there's more than enough for the pair of them, best friends til the end.

She lingers just a little bit too long, fingers brushing over the kiss placed on her shoulder, before climbing out the window after Katya.

Best friends til the end. Yeah.

Chapter 2 by Jess Ash

They make their way across the green together, crushing grass under their shoes. Katya links their arms with a broad grin, and she smiles back, trying to ignore the way her heart flips in her chest. They're so close she can smell her friend's perfume, a crisp apple scent with a hint of spicy cloves.

Their money won't take them far, but it will take them into one of the dance clubs together. Katya winks at the bouncer as they stroll into pounding music and neon lights, and she forces down the bitter taste of jealousy in her mouth.

It's nice, she thinks, to lose herself to the music. To simply watch her friend throw up her hands and shake her hips and cut loose. Katya looks beautiful when she is carefree, and she tries her hardest to be carefree, too. It's hard, when there are whispers in her ear about how cute the bartender is, and how Katya bets he'd treat her right.

She buries her true thoughts under encouragement, and Katya grins and proclaims she's going to get a drink. The blonde braid disappears into the crowd, and she tries to pretend she's happy for her. A good friend would be happy.

She wishes she could be a better friend, in that way.

Chapter 3 by Jess Ash

Katya returns with two drinks and a grin. "Here, I got you something, too."

There's a Caipirinha in her hand before she knows it, and Katya keeps the Cosmo for herself, sipping carefully so as to not smudge her lipstick. She takes a drink from her glass, too, hoping that alcohol will stamp these thoughts of more than friendship down.

"Anyway, I got the bartender's number."

She tries not to choke, opting to nod and swallow the liquid in her mouth instead. "That's great! I'm happy for you." The words sound fake, and her mouth fills with the bitter taste of lime and lies.

"I'm thinking I'm going to call him tomorrow, try and set something up for Friday. You'll help me, right? With my clothes and makeup and stuff?"

She nods, watching Katya's bright blond hair catch the lights, not trusting herself to speak on the matter any further. "Hey, I'm going to go to the bathroom."

Her friend nods back at her and takes the drink from her hand. "I'll wait for you over there."

She forces her way through the crowd, finally finding relief behind a heavy closed door labeled "Ladies". She braces herself against the sink counter, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

Katya is going to go on a date. With someone who isn't her.

She could almost laugh. Katya's always been attracted to men, never shown a hint of having an interest in her own gender. It was stupid, stupid to think she ever even had a chance-

She can't cry. It will ruin her makeup, and Katya will know something is wrong. So she washes her hands, puts on her best game face, and tells herself she's going to be a good friend. She's going to make this feeling go away.

She walks out of the bathroom and sees her friend chatting with some guy. He's holding a familiar-looking Caipirinha in his hand, and staring down Katya's dress. Anger bubbles in her chest like lava.

All of a sudden the idea of "be a good friend" ends real fast.

Chapter 4 by Soqi

As soon as she's in earshot, she shouts, which might've done little good over the noisy crowd.

"Hey! Katya!"

Katya doesn't look over. Figuring she hadn't heard, Elena yells again, this time a bit louder.

"Katya!" The blonde looks over curiously, maybe a bit annoyed; it was hard to tell over the blinding strobe lights. When Elena beckons her, she mumbles something in the stranger's ear before making her way over to her.

Katya has to lean into her ear so Elena can hear her, and she involuntarily shudders as the blonde's breath tickles her neck.

"What is it, are you okay?"

Elena nods. But she wasn't okay. Who was that? What was he doing? Obviously, he was perving on Katya, but Elena, for some reason, couldn't process what was going on.

"Who was that?"

Chapter 5 by .h_e_e_r_i_o.

"Him?" Katya asks with a tease. "Just a cutie who came up to me." Katya looks in his direction, hinting toward her attraction.

"Hm," Elena replies. "Two guys in one night, huh?" She kept her cool through the sentence, although she really wants to scream out her true feelings.

"Of course." Katya winks. She hands Elena her drink, smirking as she asked,

"Do you mind if I talk to him a little more?" Elena reminds herself.

Be a good friend. Be a good friend.

"No way! Go ahead! I'll just be here for any needed tips." Her voice drifts as she thinks.

Why can she not be with Katya? The answer is simple.

Two friends, no. Two females will never become a couple.

At least, that's how it is in Elena's mind.

Chapter 6 by Old Toady

She's always been bad at handling her feelings. She stuffs them up inside until they're like a shaken soda bottle ready to explode. Katya likes to joke about it, say that one day she'll explode too.

Tonight, her prediction is proven correct.

Elena drinks and drinks and drinks some more, her thoughts consumed by men with smirks and wandering eyes. Her throat burns from all the alcohol, but the feeling of freedom makes the pain worthwhile. She is a bird, uncaged after years of confinement. Her wings spread and she flies.

After her shots, she moves back into the crowd, dancing with emotion she hadn't been able to summon earlier. It's not nice anymore. It's vulgar and awful and any other night she'd be uncomfortable, but not tonight. Liquor replaces the blood in her veins.

"Two more Alice in Wonderlands," she slurs to the bartender. It's the one that gave Katya his number. She should hate him, but she loves all the drinks he's serving her.

"Sorry, ma'am, but I can't keep serving you with a clear conscience."

She hates him again, but now she doesn't hold it in. "You're the worst."

"Excuse me?"

"The fucking worst." The tears she had worked so hard to hold in are streaming down her face. "I hope-I hope-" I hope you know how lucky you are. She's a blubbering mess and she knows it.

"Look," the bartender says, his eyebrows puckered in concern. "Where's your friend from earlier?"

She doesn't know, she realizes. It's a cold bucket of water that douses her high. She scans the crowd desperately, but she doesn't see her. She went home. She forces herself to believe the lie. "She went home."

"I'm going to call you a cab."

Her head is bobbing in a nod. She doesn't know if she wants it to.

The time between leaving the club and getting back to school is a blur. It's too bright lights and a too loud driver and a too long climb up the ivy and back through the window.

Everything is just as they left it. Their makeup covers the bathroom sink. Their clothes litter the floor. Their textbooks are collecting dust on the shelf, under the bed, wherever they left them on their first day of school.

Everything is just as they left it, but it feels so much emptier now that Katya is away.

She's tired, she realizes with a sigh. So, so tired. Tired of lying, tired of pretending, tired of feeling like a soda bottle, but most importantly, she is literally exhausted. She collapses on an unmade bed with a deep breath. Crisp apples with spicy cloves. This isn't her bed.

For the first time in a long time, she can't bring herself to care about what Katya will think.

Chapter 7 by Shasta

Katya smiled brightly, her eyes shining with pride. "You like him?"

Elena look at him. Brown hair, unidentified color of eyes, slim figure in a fitted pair of skinny jeans. Male. "As in like-like or...?"

"As in date-worthy material."

Why does she need my approval to date him? "Sure."

"Cool! He wants to meet you. I've been chatting you up, making you seem more impressive than you really are. You know, better grades, brighter future, the works, and he's totally into you."

Judging on the where he was looking when she was talking, he was totally into someone, and that wasn't Elena.

"No thanks, Katya," Elana says.

"Why not?" she almost pouts. "Do you know how hard it was to work with what I had to make you seem date-worthy? You have C's and B's, you're not eye-candy, my grandmother has a more fashionable wardrobe than you, and you're make-up supply is older than my grandma."

"T-That's not--"

"Entirely true!" she hisses. "I've put in the work to get this guy to even think about you. All he wanted to do was look at me. And I changed him. Now, get over there and talk to him!"

"He has my drink," I say lamely.

"I'll get you another one!" she shouts. "Or he can!" She turns and heads towards the bar and mutters, "Ungrateful."

"Hey, there a problem?" the guy asks, walking towards me. When in reasonably earshot distance he says, "I'm Nick."

"Elena," I say. "I actually think I'm going to go..."

"Want a ride?" he asks.

"No, it's not far," I say.

"Okay," he says. He holds out a piece of paper. "It's my number. I know you don't want it, but your friend over there and mine expects us to hook up, so just take it. You can burn it when you get home."

"Your friend?" I ask, surprised.

"The bartender," he replies. "The thing is, I'm not hooking up with you. Or her. I don't even like her."

"Your eyes tell a different story." I say, crossing my arms and refusing to accept his number.

"Look, Elena, I'm gay, but don't tell no one. Please, take my number. I don't want to have to do this again."

Numb, I take his number. "I'm not into you either," I tell him, "but maybe we can be friends?"

He nods. "Shh! They're coming back."

Chapter 8 by Campbellsoup✨ - was gone for SO long, but i'm back :)

I throw on a huge, fake smile.

"OMG, thanks, Nick! It was GREAT meeting you!" I say, way too loudly.

He laughs, but even I can tell it's fake. "You too, Elena!" He throws in a wink. "See you!" He waggles his eyebrows.

I bat my eyes. "Catch you later, cutie!"

Katya runs up to me and throws her arms around my neck, using a hug as an excuse to whisper to me: "You and Nick seem to be hitting it off! Oh, but I have fab news. Alec--the bartender, he and I have a date tomorrow. You shouldn't wait for me to get home." She pulls away and gives me a flirtatious smile.

I nod, trying to smile. "Great. A taxi's coming. We should go."

Katya nods. She wants to stay with Alec, even an idiot would know that, but she knows that she needs to sleep.

"Lemme just say goodbye."

She runs over to Alec, burying her face in his neck as she hugs him.

He hugs her back, and I can hear her squeal as his hand slides down to her butt.

It was loud, that squeal. Meant to get attention.

Finally, she and Alec separate, and I lead her out to the street.

"Come on, Katya," I say. "Let's go home."