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cadybear420 · 11 months ago

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Best and Worst LI from each series

Inspired by this post by @choices-binglebonkus from a couple of years back. I came across it recently and I felt compelled to do my own.

Keep in mind that I haven't played some of these stories in a while, and there are a handful where I haven't even started or completed them. So a lot of stuff here is subject to change.

TCATF

Best: For Kenna: I'm not sure. For Dom: probably Sei because I loved their relationship in Book 2. But it's been a while.

Worst: For Kenna: I'm still not sure. For Dom: either Rose because of how she's written out of Book 2 with the inability to transfer data, or Will Jackson with how he was so obviously a last minute addition.

[MW: Haven't played yet, and IIRC this one didn't really have any LIs or romance.]

[TFS: Haven't played yet.]

ROE

Best: As pleasant as the 3 main LIs were, all their romances with MC felt very empty and rushed, which to be fair is expected when Nana's forcing you to marry by the end of the summer. As for the other characters, it's still hard to pick one that's the best cause I didn't find any of the romances particularly remarkable. I'd have to go either with Party Twin's LIs or cousin's romance with Chaz because they were the only ones that didn't feel like clusterfucks.

Worst: Like I said, all of MC's romances were empty. But since I'm including the other characters' romances too, easily Audrey and Elena. Audrey was a very unpleasant character towards Bookish Twin in Books 1 and 2. And same for Elena in part of Book 2 and all of Newlyweds; she had every right to be upset at Brother for hiding his past ex wife, but she acted incredibly petty and immature over it.

Best: I didn't really get to romance anyone in my playthrough but either Jake or Estela. Jake has some really funny one-liners and nicknames. Estela I saw has the "Dont. Touch. My. Husband/Wife!!!" line that makes me really want to do a romance with her as a m!MC. I love protective gfs, I aspire to be a protective gf.

Worst: None of them because all of them are great characters. But if I had to choose... maybe Quinn? She didn't feel as fleshed out to me as the other 3. But it's been 2 and a half years since I last played so yeah.

Best: None of them really grabbed me, but I'd have to go with either Leah or Ben. Ben is just a sweetheart, but I also liked the interactions between Leah and MC in Book 2.

Worst: Mark wasn't bad, but I couldn't buy into the relationship with him as well as I could the other two.

THOBM

Best: Eleanor for sure. She is partly responsible for my realizing that I'm not straight. She's supposed to be this stoic ghost woman, but gets super flustered and blushy when you flirt with her??? Bye bye heterosexuality.

Worst: Victor wasn't bad but he was just... a total non-character. Yeah, a rare story where a female LI takes the spotlight and a male LI is sidelined.

TRR: I haven't really played past Book 1, but I've already deemed Liam as my favorite LI. Though I am biased because this is the first book I started when I first got into Choices back in February 2021 (I'm a fandom baby I know), but he won my heart instantly in that premium scene where MC can take him on a boat to see the statue of liberty. And throughout the rest of the book he's just a very sweet and pleasant character. So I'm just gonna leave it at that and not deem a worst LI just yet.

Hero

Best: It's been a long time but I strongly remember quite liking Grayson. He was sweet and cute. Kenji was also pretty decent but I don't think I liked him quite as much as I did Grayson.

Worst: Eva isn't a bad character, but she was introduced way too late into the story for me to truly care about her.

OG HSS

Best: AIDEN ZHOU AIDEN ZHOU AIDEN ZHOU AIDEN ZHOU AIDEN ZHOU AIDEN ZHOU AIDEN ZHOU AIDEN ZHOU AIDEN ZHOU AIDEN ZHOU AIDEN ZHOU AIDEN ZHOU AIDEN-MOTHER-FUCKING-ZHOU!!!!!! Sweet mother of all things holy how am I supposed to talk about this in only one paragraph???

As if it wasn't obvious, I love everything about him and he's easily my favorite Choices character of all time. For one, I love male characters who are more on the soft and gentle side. Aiden is definitely that, and his tendency to get flustered and blushy is adorable. For two, he's passionate, dedicated, just very earnest and down-to-earth. And especially in Book 1, we see how he struggles with self-esteem. He's passionate, but he doesn't consider himself as such. He considers himself a failure for the screwed up halftime performance. He doesn't feel he knows how to communicate to MC right and thinks lower of himself for preferring to communicate through music.

I found a lot of these aspects very relatable myself, outside of music though, because I can't play an instrument to save my life. But I do have a passion for stuff like drawing, writing, and editing. And I think relating to Aiden so much sort of added to how authentic the romance route with him and MC felt for me. There were a couple of moments where I could have my MC sort of connect with him– the rooftop scene where MC can say that seeing how passionate he is inspires them to do better, their scene at homecoming in the band room where MC can say that social interactions don't come easy to them either despite how confident they can be.

And just... the whole romance route feels so earned and well-paced? I mean I'm sure all of the routes in HSS are like that but I especially love it here. How you can give him time of day to listen to him play piano, slowly help him step out of his comfort zone, I love how protective you can be of him in Book 2 and how you can be there for him when Isa and his parents are punishing him, and how he's then being there for you during the Book 3 drama when you're accused of sabotage. And all the moments such as becoming official with him, him confessing his love to MC and how you can confess back... it just all feels so organic.

Also the romance route with him hits so much different if you romance him as a band kid. You get extra moments with him, not to mention when you're about to play his song at the spring concert and they say how "there's a glint in his eyes you haven't seen before" and after you play it they say "his eyes gleam with pride" like HELLO??? That extra bit of connection they have when they're *both* musicians???? Shit like this is why I sing my praises to this trilogy so much.

Worst: None of them! Okay but if I had to choose... well, this is gonna pain me to say this, but Michael.

I adore his character arc and he's my second most favorite HSS character and Choices LI, but when I tried romancing him (and I did so twice), I noticed he actually felt a lot more underdeveloped in comparison to the other LIs. Specifically in Book 2, as he's the only character who isn't really struggling with anything. He felt very lacking in presence for the first half of that book– even moreso than Emma, whose subplot didn't even have anything to do with the main Isa plot. And so Book 2 kinda felt like this big gap in the relationship journey that he and MC can have.

Then again, maybe he and Evie Ayana (my MC) just don't have all that much chemistry and I should try romancing him as a brand new version of the MC.

ILITW

Best: My personal favorite is Lucas, but honestly? It's a tough tie between him, Andy, and Ava. Andy I'd say had the stronger character arc, but I personally related more to Lucas. Ava however is certainly the most memorable and witty of them.

Worst: Connor. He's not bad and I quite liked some of the banter between him and MC, but he is lacking in ways that make him stick out like a sore thumb. All these other LIs are characters attending school with MC, that MC has been friends with since childhood, who have all experienced Jane's death up-front as kids. Connor lacks all of that, being Stacy's older brother of 2 years and not really part of the friend group. And he doesn't really have much of a character arc like the others do to make up for that. I don't mind MC romancing outside of their close childhood friends, but it just felt a bit harder to connect with him on the same level as the others.

HFTH:

Best: Wyatt was probably the most memorable of the bunch.

Worst: Nick was annoying, but he did get better in the second half of the story. Holly was alright but very bland.

[RCD: Haven't played yet.]

Best: Hayden without a doubt, though I'm certainly very fond of Sloane too. Hayden is a literal robot, yet they still feel more like an actual human being than like 90% of the customizable LIs we've been getting. The whole arc with them basically having an existential crisis upon realizing they're an android, then eventually going on to start a new identity for themselves... I loved it. And as a bonus, the customizable aspect is kind of integrated in the story itself rather than being a meta choice.

Worst: None of them. Maybe Alana and Khaan, cause they seemed to be somewhat pushing some romance with them in Book 2, but it felt very muddled and unclear.

Best: All of them. But I'm probably most fond of Kamilah "I'm *her* queen. And she's mine." Sayeed. Jax and Lily are close seconds though as they're incredibly memorable (also the mass fandom hatred for Lily that was apparently a thing... yeah very sus to me. why did y'all hate her.)

Worst: None of them. I'd say maybe Adrian didn't stand out quite as much as the others?

[VOS: Haven't played yet.]

AME

Best: None of the LIs really stood out to me but my favorite would probably have to be Jen, she was sweet and always tried to help MC.

Worst: Derek had to be the most lackluster of them all IMO.

[D&D: Haven't played yet.]

ATV

Best: For MC: I was most fond of Kepler the buff queen and Meridian the sweet medic. For Eos: Gee Zekei, how come PB lets you be a romance option for two playable characters? For Pax: Holmes is precious.

Worst: IDK honestly. I wasn't a fan of Zaniah's betrayal or whatever it was. But IDK.

[BSC: Haven't played yet.]

HSS:CA

Best: Objectively speaking, Skye. She's the one thing that HSS:CA enjoyers and HSS:CA critics and haters can agree that is good about the series, and honestly that's deserved. Everything about her character storyline is pretty damn immaculate. That being said, I romanced Ajay and I'm personally very fond of him. Although I didn't care much for him in Book 1, Books 2 and onwards make him a much more sympathetic and compelling character. And personally, I tend to chalk up the whole siding against MC thing to be lazy OOC writing considering A) he'd warned MC about Danielle in the earlier chapters and B) directors generally have a responsibility to stay unbiased in these kinds of situations, and given how seriously Ajay takes being a director, realistically I think he would have tried to stay unbiased and tell the other accusers to fuck off. PB, you did my boy dirty.

Worst: Rory. I didn't hate them and they're a pretty decent character on their own, but they're easily the weakest LI of CA and of HSS as a whole. They have zero character development over the trilogy. Book 1 forcing our MC to crush on them and agonize so much over wanting their first kiss with Rory on stage was obnoxious and unnecessary, and it didn't help that their entire personality in said book didn't really go much beyond "popular theatre heartthrob". They try so hard to force us to like them by flaunting how popular they are and having Cunt and Nasty– sorry I mean Clint and Natalie– constantly fawn over them. Rory was thankfully no longer forced in Book 2 and had somewhat more character (also the way they called out Morgan's hypocrisy and single handedly destroyed her campaign is peak Rory), but the whole election plotline did nothing for their character. Book 3 gives them some sort of conflict with their parents, but it's just the group thinking Rory's dad is cheating only for it to be the good ole misunderstanding cliche.

ILB

Best: Tom. Parker was pretty adorable too, but nothing beats the part in the premium lake day scene where Tom wishes he'd won a giant teddy so he could put it in the passenger seat and be able to go into the fast lane and then MC can give him the teddy they won (if they did win).

Worst: Danni for how she can be needlessly callous towards Parker's memory if he ends up leaving the group. Even if he's dead. It comes off as extra hypocritical if Danni ended up caving to Astrid's temptations as well.

[TE: Haven't played yet.]

ACOR

Best: Either Syphax or Cassius for their loyalty to MC.

Worst: IDK.

TH:M

Best: Eris Huang is an icon. "Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals".

Worst: I didn't care for Sonia. I mean she was alright and I liked her redemption arc, but she just didn't vibe with me as a LI.

ROD

Best: Colt is the only LI I felt had any real character depth, any real significance, any real reason for me to give a shit about him.

Worst: The pushing of Logan as the main LI felt very forced, unnecessary, and undeserved. Like... there wasn't anything all that special about him.

OPH: I haven't really played past Book 1, but I'm quite fond of Bryce.

[PTR: Haven't played yet.]

[WT: Haven't played yet.]

Best: Katherine the "I don't like being saved" was fun to romance as a male MC. But either Vera or Cal would have to be the strongest character-wise.

Worst: None of them really. None of them are super amazing to me, but I didn't have any problems with any of them.

[PT: Haven't played yet.]

[SK: Haven't played yet. Tried to once but I got bored and quit 5 chapters in]

Best: Aisha for sure. She's just a very vibrant and fun character.

Worst: Reed and Ash were nice and cute, but other than that... not much. They were pretty useless to the plot too.

MOTY

Best: All of them. IDC. They're all super compelling.

Worst: None.

[StD: Haven't played yet.]

[TRM: Haven't played yet.]

BaBu

Best: Mayor Dixon was really fun to romance. The female version especially contributed to my possible bi awakening.

Worst: I liked Clint as a character but the first chapter tries wayyyyyy too hard to get the player to be turned on by the thought of having his babies. The Clint fangirls in that scene were so clearly written by someone who's never met a single woman in his life outside of some stereotypical textbook-definition Facebook Karen moms I'm sorry

[HC: Haven't played yet.]

WEH

Best: Well well well, this seems to be the first ever single-LI story on the app. And personally I think Dakota was a pretty decent and compelling character.

Worst: None

BOLAS: I haven't started Book 2 yet but I already know my favorite is Imtura. I especially love how shamelessly RoleReversal her romance is with a male MC. Praying it carries over to Book 2.

AVSP

Best: None

Worst: This book was boring and Simon/Ava's motives for making a fake marriage with the MC felt very contrived.

Witness

Best: Cassian. This book sucks but Cassian was at least a pleasant character.

Worst: None.

Best: None.

Worst: None. Honestly I don't have many feelings for the characters in this one.

TNA

Best: Sam Dalton. I mean he's not brilliant or anything but I do have a bit of a soft spot for them because TNA 1 was the first Choices story I ever completed. Also the first time a f!MC was allowed to get up in her m!LI's bootyhole.

Worst: Also Sam Dalton because of all the "+Desire +Desire +Desire +Desire +Desire +Desire" and shit

QB: I've twice attempted playthroughs of this and ended up neglecting both of them halfway through Book 1. But I did quite like Ian/Ina.

TUH: I started a playthrough back when it was releasing to all and then ended up neglecting it by like Ch10. I'll need to start playing again, but I remember being quite fond of Mr. John Somerset.

MTFL

Best: All the LIs were pretty compelling characters, they just had shit stories with a shit MC. But of the three of them, Ava was probably the most compelling to me.

Worst: None.

Best: IDK. I'm tempted to say Jack/Jacqueline because I did like their banter with the MC, but other than that they were rather bland.

Worst: Like I said, Jack/Jacqueline felt very bland outside of the banter they could have with MC.

[RT: Haven't played yet]

Best: Morgan was easily the most fleshed out and compelling of the two LIs.

Worst: Bastien is derivative as all hell. Seriously, pick up any werewolf-themed YA erotic story and the male werewolf LI in it will almost certainly be identical to Bastien.

[FA: Haven't played yet]

Best: This is a tough one. Chef Flint's character was a lot more derivative and I personally preferred being around Julia(n). But Julia(n) was also an incredibly useless character, you could remove them from the story and nothing important would change.

Worst: See above.

LOA

Best: As much as I didn't care for the series, I did find both LIs pretty decent. But of the two of them, Aislinn is much more fleshed out.

Worst: Gabe, who wasn't bad but wasn't nearly as fleshed out as Aislinn.

Best: Manu was a pretty interesting character. The relationship with them is pretty straightforward, but it was interesting and even a bit sweet later on. And apparently your bond score can determine whether or not you survive in the last chapter? Also this is the only single LI story I know of where you can choose a more platonic route with the LI.

Worst: None.

WTD

Best: I think I liked Angel the most. She was fun.

Worst: I'm not sure really.

Surrender

Best: None. None. None. Noooooooooooone.

Worst: Fuck Reagan Thorne. Worst LI on the app ever. I'll admit Book 2 does go a little more in-depth with their background, but as someone who has been in a similar situation, God they botch it horribly because 90% of this book is spent doubling down on Reagan's toxicity. And just when MC finally gets the self-respect to leave them after that awful "When a woman agrees to be my sub she agrees to obey" line, they then throw it right in the trash with how easily she ends up getting back with them. Bruh throw the whole LI in the trash.

COP

Best: Trystan is a fun character and their relationship with the MC is very refreshing. They're both equals for once in a single LI story, and it'll be interesting no matter which gender you choose for each character (whereas in most single LI stories they're really only interesting if you play as anything other than wlm).

Worst: None.

Best: None.

Worst: Kit is the textbook definition of a soulless personality-less customizable LI. They try to push them as this "player" except it's moreso just people flocking to Kit rather than Kit flirting with others.

TPS

Best: Clarke was a fun character and the female white sprite also contributes to me knowing I'm not straight.

Worst: Devon was nice but they were kind of bland and useless.

TCH: I've only played Book 1 so far and haven't yet started Book 2, but I found Kieran pretty decent and I enjoyed their development.

ID: Gabe was sweeter and I kind of liked their interactions with the MC, but Cas was more interesting, so I'm not sure. But there's a Book 2 on the way so I can't properly judge anyways.

MAH

Best: Tyler! He's arguably the least developed of the LIs but he was my favorite because he's just so babygirl. I miss when we had true softie male LIs. Also, bonus points for the dialogue changes about him realizing he's not straight if you romance him as a male or enby MC.

Worst: Not sure. Maybe Donovan because he could be a bit callous to the MC in the earlier chapters. I get why he was acting like that, but some of it did seem a bit excessive. But even then, he's still a very fleshed out character and his callousness doesn't go on for too long, so it's hard to, in good faith, deem him as the "worst". But I will also say that Stevie being MC's childhood best friend felt very poorly set up.

TPA

Best: None of them. Rowan was underdeveloped and Agent Grey was mostly very one note. They have some alright interactions, but I personally found the two hookup options Lou and Alexis far more interesting.

Worst: Like I said, Agent Grey was very one note. They seemed to be trying to go for the whole James Bond trope with having a companion that he has a bit of bantery romance with, except there wasn't much flavor to the relationship between MC and Agent Grey. Grey's character is pretty much entirely just being a tsundere.

[GNV: Haven't played yet]

[KOD: Haven't played yet]

[GG: Haven't played yet]

RWB

Best: None.

Worst: Drew had some alright character development, but I found them mostly unremarkable. "Baby Bird" was also very infantilizing.

FCL

Best: None.

Worst: How is it that every single character on-screen, even Sky who's a complete stranger, could figure out MC was scheming against Rebecca, but Rebecca's partner themselves apparently could not? Blake is either spineless as all fuck, or was just doing shrooms during the entire trip. Or both.

[TDA: Haven't played yet]

[KND: Haven't played yet]

TBB

Best: None

Worst: Cole/Callie is bland as all hell and very unreliable. Tries to use a baby to save their and Daphne's relationship and then proceeds to cheat on Daphne. Only in like the last chapter do they talk things out like actual grown ass adults, but it's too little too late.

DLS: I'm still catching up but I'm enjoying Charlie King.

[APH: Haven't started yet]

[SOD: Haven't started yet]

[Unbridled: Haven't started yet]

#choices stories you play #choices #choices game #choices stories we play fandom #choices stories we play

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liaromancewriter · 11 months ago

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Hii 🥰

Okay I’ve been wanting to ask you how was it when your MC / OC met your Li parents for the first time and how did your Li react while meeting your MC / OC parents for the first time?

Was it awkward? Funny? Embarrassing? I’d love to know 🥰

Thanks for the ask! It reminded me that there are fics or moments that I still haven't written about.

Ethan & Cassie

Ethan first met Cassie's parents in my Weekend in Newport series. It was kinda anti-climactic because Cassie had expected her parents to say something, but they didn't. Her mom Olivia really liked Ethan, but her dad Robert was concerned (not that he voiced those concerns). The visit went well except for Max calling Ethan out on his habit of walking away when things got tough. Ethan has a good relationship with his in-laws though. In Full Circle, we see that Ethan had actually met Robert a long time ago.

Cassie met Alan when he came looking for Ethan in book 2 canon events. She instantly liked him because he reminded her so much of Ethan. She wanted to get to know Alan better, but aside from one trip to Providence (per canon again) or Alan visiting them, she didn't get as much time with him. I should write that fic, even if it's about filling in the blanks and showing perspectives.

Ethan tended to keep them separate or compartmentalized. He has his life in Providence and he has his life in Boston. He visits his father at least once a month, but always went alone. He often compares his humble upbringing with Cassie's more privileged one, using that as an excuse. Cassie called him out on that in Love I Found In You and One Day, which are set just after book 3. But once Ethan stops being a barrier, he sees that Cassie fits into his Providence life perfectly.

Alan and Cassie love to tease Ethan, and he puts up with both of them. Alan is also willing to share the deets on Ethan's misspent/mischievous childhood. I show some of their relationship dynamic in Valentine Memories.

Maxenna:

I admit I haven't done justice to this pairing's Meet the Parents moment. I've mentioned the meetings in the background of various fics, but never written the full thing.

Sienna meets the Valentines in Just Getting Started and we see Olivia's reaction to in a deleted scene from that text fic. Olivia loves Sienna (and vice versa) and can't believe how long it took for her and Max to get together -- she blames her son for "dragging his heels".

Sienna was more apprehensive about Max's dad than his mom. Even though she met Robert in the above fics, she didn't really get to spend time with him until Midnight Snack. He's a quiet and reserved man, so she always felt he didn't think she was good enough. But then the events of Midnight Snack happen and she learns it's the opposite. They're thick as thieves much later.

Likewise, I've mentioned Max meeting Sienna's parents in the Part 3 texts of The Only One, but I have never written more than that. The visit itself was very good. Her dad got along well with Max and even made his special dish just for the occasion. Her mom liked Max, but she's a hard woman to please so he was walking on eggshells around her during that first visit.

Sienna's sister is the tough one. Brianna doesn't think anyone is good enough for her little sister, and tends to give Max a hard time. She does like him because she sees how much he cares for Sienna, but that doesn't mean she's going to let him get complacent.

Sienna's really close to her grandfather, who inspired her to go into medicine. He loved Max and the two of them bonded over tea rituals.

-----------

Character Asks: @bluebelle08 @cariantha @crazy-loca-blog @coffeeheartaddict2 @lucy-268 @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @quixoticdreamer16 @rookiemartin @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

#ask and answered #open heart #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x cassie valentine #sienna trinh #sienna trinh x max valentine

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astrahannah · 10 months ago

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So uh. I think I've seen that video. I dunno how much you actually care, or how much you still don't know, but I'm can tell you if you don't wanna play it yourself like some people suggest - so, spoilers for Mystic Messenger ahead.

You're right in that it's an otome game with its gimmick being it taking place in real time. Someone said it's about organizing a party. That's also true. I'll use the character's names and sometimes I'll describe who they are.

See, the MC opens an app on the phone, there's a guy in it telling her "hey, I found this phone, there's only this app in it and an address, could you go there and tell the owner I have the phone?" you can't think it's suspicious af, you gotta go there, and when no one opens, break in using a code for the door the guy texting you gives you, and once you do that, the convo disappears, you enter a chat app of a group of friends (mostly) in a charity organization that used to host fundraising parties. You shouldn't be there, they all suspect you of hacking (the dude who texted you at the start is the hacker, actually, calls himself Unknown), also, you're in the apartment of the organization's late founder, Rika. At the end of the prologue, they decide to give you a chance, while they backcheck you, you can join them.

The first four days are spent interacting with the characters and choosing a route based on your interactions, and the current leader, who calls himself V and doesn't come chat much, and was Rika's fiance before she died, decides that maybe be the new coordinator, since that was Rika's role and you're at her apartment. Maybe that's what she would want.

So, that's the start.

Then, you asked about the bomb. In several routes (which you enter on day 5 (out of 11) based on who you seemed to get along with the most based on interaction and what game mode you're in (every love interest is only available one of the three modes)), you find out that Rika had a bomb installed in her apartment for... Security, allegedly, IIRC (haven't played any route dealing with the bomb in a while), but a hacker (the one who let in at the start, Unknown, though you don't know that right at the start) tampered with it and can now go off any moment/if you leave the apartment (I think the latter, not sure). Depending on the route, 707(/Luciel/Saeyoung, he's a man of many names), the hacker and security guy of the group finds a weird palace in the mountains it's coming from, and your love interest might have to go there and deal with it (Yoosung's route) or maybe save you from kidnapping by the hacker (Zen's route). There's usually some confrontation between LI and the hacker (except Jumin, who never confronts the hacker face to face, and Jaehee, whose route doesn't deal with this bullshit except a very mild allusion, normal stuff happens there instead), if you get the good ending, yall win, MC and the LI get together (except on Jaehee's route, because she's a woman and I guess they were scared to make an explicitly wlw route, bcs South Korea).

Or, that's on the "casual story" mode (you're recommended to play that first, and it's the only mode not locked behind game currency anyway, routes of Yoosung, Zen and Jaehee available) and the "deep story" (usually second to be played, Jumin and 707 available). But, in 707's "secret ending" (every character has an "after ending" - an epilogue basically, but 707 has two secret endings after that) in which you find out that the place the hacker hailed from is a cult (BTW the hacker, Unknown, is 707's twin brother, as you find out on 707's route) founded by Rika (yeah, the founder of the organization you're in the whole game), bcs, VEERY basically (I don't understand Rika's psychology that well, I didn't actually play the secret endings or the DLC that's a visual novel about her backstory, but when you are in the fandom for over 5 years, you catch onto something), she hates suffering and wants to make an eternal paradise, where people are always happy, but making them always happy is ensured by giving them drug cocktails that make them weak and obedient to her, their "savior". V, her fiance, found out, didn't agree, and she ran away to create the cult. V pretended she's dead bcs I don't really know. He still had this love for/obsession with her, he didn't want to hurt the other members of the organization with that knowledge... Not sure (someone who played it all might know better). V and Rika also promised 707 to protect his brother while he hid away in a secret agent organization (the twins are illegitimate sons of the prime minister and he might try to kill them if he got ahold of them, a whole another can of worms), but as Rika left to start the cult, she took Saeran (the real name of 707's twin), made him into the hacker "Unknown" and brainwashed him to think 707 hates him.

That's just the casual and deep story, though (I think), there's also "another story", taking place in an alternate reality, a year before the other two modes, with slight changes to the characters - the prologje changes, Saeran pretends he's a game developer, is basically developing Mystic Messenger, wants you go be a playtester, but you have to get blindfolded into a car and let them drive you to the cult, and you live there for the whole game, while Saeran tries to convince you at first that the characters you chat with are just AI. You can date V and Saeran in it, also, Saeran has a split personality here (nice - Ray, and evil - Saeran, for the simplicity. I'm pretty sure it's drugs and brainwashing induced.). And there's that one bad ending of V's where you can end up with Rika (which is more then you ever get with Jaehee, who's my favorite, it makes me a bit mad).

I'm afraid I can't TL;DR this. Mystic Messenger is pretty wack, but I like talking about it.

Me, looking through youtube to find background noise to draw: oh sweet. A tier list of the bad endings of Mystic Messenger, a game I've never played and know nothing about. Sure, this should work.

Me 50 minutes later: What the fuck happens in Mystic Messenger.

#mystic messenger #mystic messenger spoilers

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khoicesbyk · 2 years ago

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The Royal Romance.

Love Everlasting.

A/N: I had a different name and plot for this fic over a year ago. But after being in the RP community for more than a year, I've decided to write the current Royal Life of my favorite OTP.

Rated: Mature (at times can and will be Explicit. I'll be sure to change the rating when and if that happens). | Contains sexual content and strong language. (You know? The usual. Y'all should be used to this from me by now 😁) | Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters. | Main Characters: King Marquise Rys (LI) and Queen Shanelle Miller-Rys (MC) | All Characters and names: (except MC and original characters created by me and/or other authors [their characters have been mentioned and/or used in the story with their permission] ) are property of Pixelberry.

Current Word Count: 50K words. (may be slightly more or may be slightly less. Look, I stop counting after editing and re-editing and driving myself insane. 🤷🏾‍♀️)

If you’d like to be added to my tag list. Just reblog or dm me and I will gladly add you! 😁😘

This series is rated Mature and/or Explicit. It is NOT reading material that is safe for those under 18. Reader discretion is STRONGLY advised!

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Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations

Matrimony. Part 5.

“What am I supposed to do with these?” he asked.

“Yup. I shoulda pushed harder for you to take Sex Ed when they offered it,” she replies.

“You serious?” he asked.

“We're drunk. And the tension is steadily rising. Besides, this is your last hurrah, Hotshot. Take it or leave it,” she replies.

“Man, I'm gonna enjoy this.”.

She grabbed him by his hair and kissed him. He was shocked and turned on at the same time. He broke their kiss so he could breathe.

"Well, that was fun.”

"You've been wanting to do that since you saw me.”

"If he finds out—"

"He already knows. Next question."

"What do you mean he knows?" He asks.

"He knows that I'm about to turn you into a whore." She replies.

“How?” he asked

"Who do you think set this all up genius?” she replied.

Cass made a face.

"Damn! There go my bragging rights.”

"Blah! Blah! Blah! Get naked!"

He shook his head at her before kissing her again. He couldn't wait to have her. And he didn't care how that looked. He picked her up, wrapped her legs around his waist, and carried her back into the bedroom.

"I...have...been...dying...to...fuck...you!" He said in between kisses.

"You talk too much!"

"You love it."

It didn't take them long to get each other naked. He took a moment to admire her naked body.

"Like what you see?" She asked with a wink.

"Of course. You've always been beautiful." He whispered.

He went from kissing her to going straight to the treasure between her thighs. The one thing she lives about him is didn't waste time. He had to taste her again. It had been years since he had her like this. So he went straight for her center and buried his face in it. He licked, sucked, nibbled, and kissed her sweet snatch all the while rubbing his face in it, making sure he was coated with her juices. She moaned loudly as he ate her out.

Once her thighs started to close around his neck he knew she was going to break. So he grabbed her thighs and plunged his tongue inside her. He felt her body shake as she screamed again and flooded his face with her nectar. He looked at her smiling as she caught her breath. He was happy because he knew he still got it.

"Sweet as sugar." He said as he licked his fingers.

She rolled her eyes.

"Don't get cocky. You still haven't proven anything."

"Don't believe me just watch!"

"Have I mentioned that you talk too much?" She asked.

Rather than answer her, he kisses her hard before grabbing her and flipping her onto her stomach then mounting her. With a condom on, Cassian was ready to take her right then and there.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go!" She dared him.

It was on then.

He closed his eyes then drove himself straight into her and began fucking her senseless. He wanted her to know and feel how he missed her. He pounded that sweet treasure for what he felt was an eternity. The sounds their bodies made as he crashed into her again and again coupled with her feminine scent made him dizzy.

"Don't you dare slow down! Give it to me!" She shouted.

He intensified his rhythm just for her.

"That's my girl! Tell me you want this dick!" He growled.

He loves hearing her scream bloody murder as he took her. She was close to her climax and he knew it because he was as well. That's when she screamed at the very top of her lungs and unloaded onto him. She felt so damn good to him.

He stayed still for a moment before pulling out of her. He marveled at the sight before him. They were both exhausted and satisfied. He curled up with her in his arms. Just the way he always wanted.

"I feel like a whore!” he said to her.

"You are a whore, Cass.”

He grumbled.

"This is the way, it should be. It should be you and me."

"It should be but it is Cass. As much as we love each other, we never would've gone the distance.”

He sighed.

"I know but still. I was never ready to let you go."

“Likewise. But holding on to you wouldn't have been fair to either of us. Besides, what's done is done. I don't hate you. I will always cherish what we had and what we were.”

"You could always back out and come back to me.”

"I could. But I've come too far now. I am way too close to destiny. Too close to my destiny. I can't leave now.” she replied.

Case shook his head.

"You've always been an overachiever, Princess.”

"Always will be.”

She let his sword necklace play with the pads of her fingers.

"I will never forget the look on your face when I gave you this.”

"Yeah. That's because you made me feel like an ass because I didn't get you anything.”

"I do believe I told you that I didn't want anything when we graduated. I had you. That was all I wanted.”

"I know but I could've at least bought you flowers or something.”

"With the pay from that janky ass job you used to have?" she asks.

"I made good money at that job!" he replies.

"You got paid in peanuts Dumbo. Hell, Lo made more money at his first job than you did at yours.”

He pinched her.

"Ow! Jackass!" she sneered.

He kissed the spot he pinched.

"Better?" he asks.

"Maybe," she replied.

He shook his head before he kissed her again.

"So where do we go from here?" he asked.

"We stay here like this," she replies.

“What about Nina and Chut?” he asked.

“Knowing them, they're drunk and are more than likely too busy entertaining their own company to give a fuck about what or who I’m doing. So I’m going to enjoy whatever time I have left with you before you have to leave,” she replied.

"Smartest thing you've said!"

She groaned as she snuggled in his arms. When she woke up the next morning he was gone but he left her a single red rose. She knew their relationship was over and so did he but they still cared for each other and for her, that was more than enough.

The next 2 months were a blur to her. Appointments, fittings, tours of the venues, and things of the like. She felt like her head would explode. But this was it, her wedding was fast approaching. So the last-minute mad dash to finalize and pay for everything was to be expected. She was in her room at her parent's house with her head in Nina’s lap as she scratched her scalp.

“Nobody does that like you,” Shanelle said to her.

“What?” Nina asked.

“Soothe my soul by scratching my scalp,” Shanelle replied.

Nina snickers.

“This is why you're a spoiled brat.”

That's when they heard a yelp and something fall in the closet.

“Chut! You alright in there?” Shanelle asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Question! Why do you put your shoes at the top?! You know my arms are short and can't reach!” Chut replies.

Nina and Shanelle cackled.

“Poor little miss mushroom.” Shanelle teased.

Chut finally emerged from the closet with her arms full of clothes.

“This is why we shop in your closet, Nelle. Now if you two will excuse me. I have clothes to try on.” Chut said before going into her bathroom. Shanelle shook her head with a smile.

“I love her innocence.”

“Chur? Innocent? Are we talking about the same person?” Nina asked.

“Okay between the three of us, she's the most innocent,” Shanelle replies.

“Much better.”

Just then there was a knock at the bedroom door.

“It's open!” Shanelle said to the door.

In walked the rest of the girls.

“The gang of whores is all here!” Shanelle teased.

The girls groaned while Nina laughed.

“Y’all love me!”

Chutney walked out of Shanelle’s bathroom wearing one of her old dresses.

“Hey y'all!” she said to the girls before looking at Shanelle, “okay Nelle. Whaddya think? How does it look? Does it make my ass look big?”

“Dump truck,” Shanelle replied.

“Meep meep!” Nina added.

“That's RoadRunner genius!”

The girls laughed.

“But to answer your question baby, it looks better on you than it ever did on me.”

“Can I have it?” Chut asked.

“It's yours,” Shanelle replied.

Chut squealed.

“Thank you, Princess! I have a few more things to try on.” Chut said before going back into the bathroom.

“That was your dress?” Bron asked.

Shanelle nodded.

“Yup. I've only worn it once. That's how I am. I wear an outfit once and then put it in my closet and never wear it again. Most of the clothes in the closet here are things I don't care for anymore.” she replies.

Bron had a curious look on her face as she glanced at the closet.

“Go for it, baby. Whatever you find in the closet that fits is yours to keep.”

The girls scrambled into the closet to find whatever outfits they could. It's not every day that a future Queen offers her closet to those around her.

“You've always been that way,” Nina said to her.

“What way?” Shanelle asked.

“Always giving to the less fortunate,” Nina replies.

Shanelle shook her head with a smile.

“Why aren't you in there looking for something?” Shanelle asked.

“Too much traffic. I like shopping in your closet when there's no one here but you and me.” Nina replies.

Shanelle snickered.

“Fair enough.”

The girls emerged each with their arms full of clothes.

“Princess, you have a strappy pair of tan Manolos that I had my eye on,” Bron said to her.

“Take them. They're yours now.” Shanelle said.

“Seriously?” Bron asked.

“Yes seriously,” Shanelle replies.

“Thank you, Nelle!”

Shanelle smiled at her. Soon the girls were fluttering around her room trying on and trading different outfits.

“I love these Manolos but I can't find anything that goes with them.” Bron pouted.

Shanelle thought for a second.

“Dee let me see that burgundy halter dress that you didn't want,” Shanelle said to her.

Dee passed her the halter dress. Shanelle took the dress and placed it in front of Bronwyn.

“And now we need accessories,” Shanelle said before setting the dress down on her bed and going to her jewelry box. She pulled out a pair of diamond earrings and a diamond tennis bracelet both in gold settings.

“And finally…” Shanelle said before she plucked a gold fashion belt out of a drawer.

“And voila! Now go try everything on.” Shanelle said to Bronwyn.

Bronwyn ducked into the bathroom and came out a few minutes later. The girls were impressed.

“Damn!” the girls said in unison.

“You look beautiful, baby,” Shanelle said to her.

“Thank you, Nelle. I can't wait for Lo to see me in it. I can't wait for him to rip it off of me.”

“I can guarantee you that you won't let him rip a $3,500.00 outfit off of you.”

“A $3,500.00 outfit?!” Bronwyn asks.

“The shoes are custom Manolos from the flagship boutique downtown, they're $1,000.00. That dress is a custom-made Versace dress that is $2,000.00. And your accessories are $500.00.” Shanelle replied.

Bronwyn’s jaw was on the floor as she looked at herself in the mirror.

“I'm wearing $3,500.00 worth of clothes and accessories?!” she asked.

“Welcome to the perks of being the best friend of a real live Princess,” Shanelle replied.

“I've never had anything this expensive,” Bronwyn admitted.

“Well get used to it. Because I always share with my friends.”

“Thank you, Nelle. Now I gotta go show Lo. He’ll lose his shit when he sees me.”

“Where is my brother?” Nina asked.

“In the kitchen with the boys and Nelle’s mom,” Bronwyn replies.

Shanelle, Nina, and Chutney froze.

“The boys are in the kitchen?” Chut asked.

“With mom?” Nina asked.

“While she's cooking?” Shanelle asked.

“Yes, yes, and yes,” Bronwyn replied.

They winced.

“Oh, God! Come on y'all. We gotta go save the boys.”

“Why? What's wrong?” Bronwyn asked.

“Knowing my mama and how she runs her kitchen when she's doing a big family meal, she's got the boys doing all her cooking prep,” Shanelle replied.

The girls looked at each other before they all scrambled out the door to the kitchen. Sure enough, Shantel had the boys hard at work, while she sat at the kitchen table supervising.

“Momma!” Shanelle fussed.

“Yes?” Shantel replied.

“Why do you have them doing all the prep, mom?” Nina asked.

“Because they were in here pestering me. And you know the rules Nina. If you're gonna stay in the kitchen while I’m in here cooking, you're gonna work. Isn't that right Logan?” Shantel asked.

She had the boys in gloves and aprons working in the kitchen.

“Yep,” Logan replied as he chopped onions.

The girls dissolved into cackles.

“Look at the men being all types of domesticated!” Shanelle teases.

“Mom, is this enough onions?” Logan asked Shantel.

“Yes, that's enough onions for now. Thank you, honey.” Shantel replies. “Now, go light the grill and pull the jerk chicken out of the outdoor fridge for me.”

“Yes ma'am!”

Logan ran out to the backyard to light the grill. The girls sat around the kitchen table and watched the boys work.

“Where is Daddy, mom?” Shanelle asked.

“In his office making final payments for everything,” Shantel replies.

“I can't believe the wedding is next week!” Aly said.

“Believe it, sweetie. It's here. It's happening. You girls will look stunning.” Shantel said.

Damien emerged from his office with a stretch.

“Well, everything is paid for in full. Which means by this time Monday, I will be at the Embassy officially welcoming Cordonian Royalty, Dignitaries, and Diplomats,” he said before pulling his daughter to her feet, “and by this time next Saturday you, my gorgeous girl will be a Queen. Not a Princess, not a Regent, a Queen”

“Are you excited Daddy?” Shanelle asked her father.

“Of course. I hate the thought of giving you away but you've earned this.” Damien replied.

Shanelle smiled softly at her dad, just as Logan came back into the house.

“Okay so the grill is lit and heating up and the chicken is sitting on the counter,” Logan announced.

“And that's my cue. Now, what's being grilled?” Damien asked.

“Jerk Chicken, Pop,” Logan replies.

“Perfect. Since Shantel has had you on cooking prep, do you want a way out of it?” Damien asked Logan.

“How?” Logan replied.

“You grill, I supervise.”

“Say no more!” Logan said before heading back outside.

Shanelle shook her head with a smirk.

“You and mom are the worst. Always making us do the work.”

“Of course. Free labor is the best labor.” Damien said before heading outside.

“Well, there went my plan to show Lo my new outfit.” Bron pouted.

“I'm sorry sweetie. But when it comes to my Jerk Chicken, nothing stops Logan.”

“He told me how good it is. I can't wait to try it.”

“Girl you are in for it! Mom can throw it down in the kitchen.” Chut quipped.

“Thank you, my sweet girl. You've been eating it for years.” Shantel replied before she turned her attention to the rest of the boys in the kitchen, “alright, fellas! Let's see what you have done so far.”

After all the prep, baking, cooking and grilling was done, it was time for everyone to eat. Even a surprise guest.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” Marquise said

“Not at all Your Regency. You’re about to be family. What are you doing here?” Shantel asked.

“My business in Cordonia is done so I came westward. I was on my way to Boston but I thought I’d stop by before heading that way.”

Shantel raised an eyebrow at him.

“You wanted to see the bride before the wedding, didn't you?” Shantel asked.

Marquise awkwardly cleared his throat.

“…maybe,” he replied.

Shantel shook her head.

“Grab a plate everyone so we can eat!” Shantel announced.

Soon everyone dug into the food that was prepared.

“Mom! Mom?” Bron asked.

“Yes, baby?” Shantel replied.

“Can I have your Jerk Chicken recipe, please? This is amazing!”

“Of course, lovebug. I will send each of you girls a book with all my recipes.”

Everyone continued eating and as the night wound down, Marquise pulled his future bride aside.

“Walk outside with me?” he asked.

She simply smiled as they stepped outside for a moment. When Marquise was sure no one was looking, he planted Shanelle with a kiss. When their kiss broke, both were breathing hard.

“I have been dying to do that since I walked through the door.”

“Are you saying you haven't enjoyed spending time with me and my family, Your Regency?” Shanelle asked.

“I had loads of fun. After all, your family is about to be my family. But I've been away from you long enough. So why don't we hop on a jet to Boston?” he asked.

“I'd like that. Besides, I miss Ozzie. I think I've had him boarded long enough.” she replied.

“Leave in the morning?” he asked.

“Deal,” she replies.

“Good. Now your mother made a sweet potato pie. I have not had one in years. I am very much looking forward to this.”

“Don't be shocked if you wind up addicted.”

“I'm counting on it.”

They headed back inside and that is how he became addicted to her mom’s sweet potato pie. The next morning they landed in Boston and picked up Ozzie from the kennel before going to the brownstone.

“It feels good to be back,” he said as they lay on the couch together with Ozzie at their feet.

“It feels good to do this again. I missed you.”

He nibbled on her earlobe.

“I've missed you too, my love.”

“Just think. We’ll be waking up next week as a married couple.”

“And as Monarchs,” he added.

“I know. Everything we've worked for will come to fruition next week.”

“You’re amazing. You know that right?”

She blushed.

“I wish you'd stop that.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I can seriously get used to it,” she replies.

“You should. Do you know why?” he asked.

“Why?” she replied.

“Because you deserve to be praised for the amazing woman that you are.”

Shanelle shook her head with a smile.

“Never forget one thing.”

“Hmm?” she asked.

“I love you, my Queen.”

“I love you too, handsome.”

This was it, in a few short days, the Prince and Princess would be husband and wife. Both were nervous and excited. The next week flew past them and before they knew it, it was their wedding day.

They flew back to New York that Friday and spent the night in separate quarters. He stayed at the Embassy and she stayed at home.

The morning of the wedding was insane but invigorating. After having breakfast, Shanelle watched her mom and her get dressed. While the guys and her dad headed to the palace to get dressed with Marquise.

“I feel like a princess!” Shantel squealed.

“You sure act like one mom.” Nina said.

“Bye girl! What do you think, Nelle?” Shantel asks.

“You look stunning momma.” She replies with a smile.

“Thank you, my baby. Now will you tell your best friend that?”

They laughed together.

“It fills my heart to have all my girls in one room.” Shantel said with tears in her eyes.

“Awww mom!” They said in unison.

They hugged her.

“Okay! Okay! Enough tears from me.”

Shanelle smiled at her mom before looking towards the garment bag with her wedding dress in it. Shantel laid a hand on her shoulder.

“This is it Butterfly. Are you ready?” Shantel asked.

“As I'll ever be mama,” Shanelle replied.

“Let’s get you dressed then,” Shantel announced.

Between giggles and tears, it took the girls 30 minutes to get Shanelle all ready. And when it was all said and done Shanelle stood in front of a floor-length mirror and marveled at her dress.

“It's beautiful. Ingrid did fantastically.”

“Yes, she did. You look stunning.” Shantel said to her.

“Thank you, mom. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect gown.”

Shantel took Shanelle’s trembling hands into her own.

“I am so proud of you my baby. You are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. You, my beautiful, smart, amazing, courageous, loving little girl are moments away from being a Queen. The same little girl whose smile has always melted my heart will be a leader on the world's stage. You are my every dream come true. And I wish nothing but love and happiness for you.”

Shanelle squeezed her mother’s hands.

“Thank you, mom. I would never be able to do any of this without you or the girls by my side.”

That's when Damien walked in and was awestruck.

“Oooh! Look at Pop looking spiffy in his teacher suit!” Chut said.

Damien bowed.

“Thank you Chutney. You girls look stunning in your gowns. Absolute visions!” Damien said to the girls before turning his attention to Shanelle and his wife, “and you two…my God! I am the luckiest man in the world. Today my Princess becomes a Queen. I could not ask for anything more.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“Do you all mind if I speak to Shanelle alone for a moment? I promise not to take too long.” Damien asks.

“Of course dear. Come on girls let's give them some time.” Shantel said before herding the girls out the door.

Shanelle smiled at her father through the mirror as she sat down at her vanity.

“Look at you my darling. Look at how beautiful you are. I am so proud of the woman you are and I am excited to see the Queen you will be. And I know somewhere in heaven, your grandparents are excited as well.”

Shanelle closed her eyes to stop the tears from falling.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“I went about this wrong. And what's worse I hurt you. But my beautiful darling, I am so happy for today. Today I get to watch you marry the man you have…even if he is cocky.”

Shanelle laughed.

“I have something for you, my Princess.”

“What is it Daddy?” she asked.

Damien produced a box from behind his back.

“What is that Daddy?” Shanelle asked.

“A gift I've been saving for this very special moment.” Damien replied as he opened the box.

Inside was a tiara with Canary and Blue Diamonds, with a pair of matching earrings, a necklace and cuffs.

“Where did you get these?” Shanelle asked in complete shock.

“These were your grandmother’s favorites. Her dying wish was for you to have them. She wanted you to wear them when you got married. And I am here as her son to make sure her wish is fulfilled. Would you do me the honor of wearing them today?” Damien replied.

“It would be my honor to represent Flower today, Daddy.”

Damien carefully helped Shanelle put on her jewelry.

“There. Now you look like the Queen the world deserves to know and admire.”

Shanelle stood up and hugged her father.

“Thank you so much, Daddy. Sure you went about this all wrong but in the end, you made my dream come true. I can never thank you enough.”

“Anything for you my sweet darling. Now let's get you to the church so you can get married.”

The two smiled at each other before heading out the door.

Meanwhile at the Embassy, Marquise had just finished getting dressed. He stood in front of the floor length mirror and had just buttoned his jacket when there was a knock at the door.

“A Royal Wedding In New York?” Leo asks as he stuck his head in.

“Leo! What are you doing here?” He replies.

“You know me. I love a good party. Especially when it's to stick it to the old man.”

“Yeah, I know. It's good to see you.”

The two embraced.

“It's good to see you too, little brother.”

“Speaking of him, have you seen him?” Marquise asked.

“Briefly. I popped in to speak. And as per his usual, he expressed his displeasure.” Leo replied

“Of course he did. He's mad he's losing everything.”

Leo looked over and noticed the cuff links Marquise had. They were of his mother’s coronation picture.

“You know mom is smiling right?” Leo asked.

“Yeah I know. All I have ever wanted to do was make her proud.” Marquise replied.

“I think you've done that.”

“Indeed he has. Ellie is overjoyed at this moment in our lives.” Margo said as she stepped into the room.

“Mom!” the boys said in unison.

“Look at my two handsome boys. It's so good to have you two together again. Welcome home, Leo.”

Leo pulled her into a hug.

“It's good to know that I can always come home. Also, it's good to see you too mom.”

Margo took the cuff links and put them on Marquise.

“There. Now your look is complete.”

“Can you believe it, mom? Our baby is getting married!” Leo teased.

Marquise rolled his eyes with a smirk.

“You're lucky I tolerate you.”

Just then George walked in.

“Leo my boy! It's good to see you!” he said before wrapping him in a bear hug.

“It's good to see you too Papa. You know I would never miss an event like this.”

George turned his attention to Marquise.

“And you my boy! You are destined to do great things. You will be King in a few short moments. You are everything your mother and I could've ever hoped for. You are the savior the people have prayed for. And today, I get the honor of watching you marry the love of your life. The same way I married mine. You make me and your mothers proud my boy.” George said proudly.

Marquise smiled gratefully.

“Thank you. All of you. It means the world to me that you are here with me to share in this moment.”

“There's no place else we’d rather be,” Margo said.

Marquiss smiled at her before there was a knock at the door. It was Constantine and Regina.

“Well isn't this cute? His Regency’s chosen family and his actual family all in one room.” Regina sneered.

Leo scoffed.

“Last time I checked I am his family.” Leo snapped at her.

“I don't think I like your tone Julian,” Connie said to Leo.

“Get used to it.”

Connie took a deep breath.

“Do you all mind if I talk to His Regency privately?” Constantine asks.

“They might not but I do. But since this is your final day as King, sure we can speak for a moment.” Marquise replies.

Connie scoffed.

“How generous of you, Your Regency.” Connie sneered.

“Leo, would you be so kind as to take Mama and Papa to the church so they can take their places in the procession?” Marquise asked his brother.

“They're in the procession?” Leo asked.

“Who do you think is representing me in my wedding?” Marquise replies.

“Of course! It would be an honor to escort His Regency’s representatives.” Leo said before pulling his brother into a loving hug. “I’ll see you at the church.”

Marquise nodded before Leo left the room. Soon it was him alone with his father and Regina.

“Well don't you look dressed for the occasion, my son.”

Marquise rolled his eyes.

“You've got two minutes to say whatever the hell it is you have to say then you and her can get out.”

“Do you remember what I said to you a few months ago?” Connie asked.

“You mean the speech you gave me about you being a part of me and me being a part of you? What about it?” Marquise replies.

“You and this girl are about to inherit a kingdom. A kingdom mind you, that I spent my entire life building up. My legacy is now in your hands. Don't disappoint me.”

“You're right. You did spend your whole life building Cordonia. But just like Julius Caesar did Rome, you destroyed it as well. If you came here to tell me again that we’ll always be alike, save it. Because you and I are nothing alike. I am and always will be better. I will be a better King, I will be a better Husband, I will always be a better Man, and God willing I have any one day, I will always be a better father than you could ever dream of being.”

Connie scoffed.

“You think you’re better than me?” Connie asked.

“No, I know I’m better than you. Now get out!” Marquise hissed.

“The same way you pray for children one day is the same way you’d better pray that you never fail, my son.”

“You mean like you did?” Marquise asked.

Connie gave him one last look before he and Regina left. 20 minutes later there was another knock at the door. This time it was Damien.

“Good morning Your Regency!” Damien said as he entered the room.

“Good morning Your Highness. Please come in.”

“Thank you. So today's the day.”

“Indeed it is.”

Marquise gestures for Damien to sit with him.

“How are you doing, son?” Damien asks.

Marquise let out a shaky breath.

“I’m nervous as hell and I know that I shouldn’t be.” he replies.

“No you definitely should be. Marriage is a precious commodity nowadays.”

“I know that. I’m marrying your daughter but I can’t seem to silence this one voice in my head.”

“What’s it saying?”

“What if I fail her?”

Damien nodded his head.

“Want some free advice?” he asked Marquise.

“Sure.”

“That’s the point, son. Marriage no matter what is not and never will be perfect. And you will fail. Both of you. But see, it’s in that failure that you realize how much you love each other. You won’t always get along. You’ll argue. You’ll fuss. You’ll fight. Hell, you’ll piss each other off. But you’ll put in the work to make it work. Not to make it perfect but to make it last.” Damien replied.

“You really think so?” Marquise asks him.

“I’ve been married for close to 29 years. And in those almost 29 years, I’ve yelled. I’ve gotten frustrated. I’ve even gotten annoyed…on more than one occasion. But mostly, I remembered the vow I made to Shantel in the eyes of the Lord.” He replies.

“What was that vow?” Marquise asks.

“I vowed before the Father to always love, honor, cherish, protect, provide and prosper with her. And I have. Has it always been easy? Hell no! That woman has pushed me to my limit more times than I could ever explain or count. But I remember the love I have for her. As my wife, my partner in life and especially as the mother of my child. And I remember that vow I made. And if you remember the vows you plan to make to my daughter, you’ll be alright son.” He replies.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I needed to hear that.”

“Of course Your Regency. Now let’s go get you and my daughter married.”

“It must really hurt you to say that.”

“You have no idea.”

Marquise smirked at him as they walked out the door and headed to the church. The same time as Shanelle and the bridal party. The bride and groom were ushered to separate waiting rooms as the ceremony got underway.

"All rise and remain standing as the entrants make their way into the sanctuary!" The herald announced.

Marquise took a deep breath as the Cordonian National Anthem started to play.

The bridal party was announced couple by couple. As were the representatives of the Regents.

"Announcing Mr. and Mrs. George Marcel Geaneaux. Representatives of His Regency and Sir Ozzie Barksworth of House Volterias!"

George and Margo walked the procession line with Ozzie on his leash.

Next, it was time for her parents to be announced.

"Announcing Duchess Shantel Noreen Fletcher-Miller and His Highness Prince Damien Thomas Miller of South Cordonia!"

"Prince of South Cordonia?" Shantel asks her husband as they made their way down the aisle to the altar. He winked at her in response. As they reached the altar Margo couldn't wait to greet Shantel.

"Isn't this exciting, Duchess?" Margo asks Shantel.

"Margo! Our kids are getting married! We will be family. This is such a great day!" Shantel replied.

"Good luck, Your Highness." George said to Damien as he offered a handshake.

"Same to you George." Damien replied as he shook George's hand.

Damien took his place and awaited Marquise and Shanelle.

Marquise squared his shoulders then inhaled and exhaled slowly as his entrance was announced and the doors opened.

"Introducing His Regency, Marquise Constantine Rys, Crown Prince of North Cordonia!"

Marquise looked out among the crowd as he walked down the aisle. He saw the faces of his allies and subjects.

As he walked the reality of what was going on finally hit him. He was about to marry the love of his life. When he reached the altar he was greeted by George and Margo. As well as Shanelle's parents.

"Oh honey you look so handsome!" Shantel said to him.

"I'm standing right here!" Damien sneered.

"I know, that's why I said it!"

Marquise snickered.

"Thank you, Duchess. You look beautiful as always."

"Are you two done fawning over each other?" Damien asks.

"Don't mind him. He's just having separation issues." Shantel replied.

Damien rolled his eyes before Marquise took his place beside him.

"Life as you know it is about to change. Are you ready son?" Damien whispered to him.

"As I'll ever be." Marquise replies.

The music soon changed from the Cordonian National Anthem to the Bridal March and the doors opened as the herald announced her entrance.

"Introducing Her Regency, Princess Shanelle Dominique Miller, Crown Princess of South Cordonia and Duchess Of Volterias!"

Shanelle swallowed the lump in her throat as she walked down the aisle. She knew all eyes were on her, her custom-made Ingrid Kozlov wedding gown and her grandmother's jewelry, especially her tiara.

When she got to the end of the aisle, she was greeted by her mother who was in tears.

"You look stunning, baby girl! Your grandmother would be so proud of you. Even more than I am." Shantel said to her.

"Thank you, Mommy. Thank you for being here. I couldn't have done any of this without you."

"There is no place I'd rather be, baby."

The two smiled at each other as Damien stepped off the altar to greet his daughter. He took a deep breath before speaking to Shanelle.

"You know as a father...I never thought the day would come where I'd have to give you away. But now that it has...I'm afraid it's a day that's come all too soon for me."

"Daddy...I'm okay. I promise I'll be alright."

"I know baby...it's just..." Damien paused as he searched for the right words. "I have to let you go. And that's not easy. I have always been the one to protect you. Even when I screwed up with you. Even when you somehow found it in your heart to forgive me. And now, I have to give that privilege to someone else. And it hurts. God knows it hurts. But I trust you and your judgment and I trust him...kinda."

"I heard that!" Marquise said in the background.

Shanelle chuckled softly.

"I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, my Princess. Always and forever."

He kissed her on her forehead before taking his place again and watching her hand her bouquet to Nina before taking her place across from Marquise.

"May you all be seated," Damien announced to the gathered crowd.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here today before the eyes of The Father our Lord and Savior, The Son Jesus Christ, and The Holy Ghost to bear witness to the marriage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Marquise Rys of North Cordonia and my daughter Princess Shanelle Miller of South Cordonia."

Shanelle smiled at Marquise and he winked at her.

"As I told my soon-to-be son-in-law, marriage is a precious commodity nowadays. It's hard, it's tiring, it's strenuous and Lord knows it's frustrating."

The crowd laughed.

"But at its core, it's rich, it's fulfilling and when it's done right, it is long, loving, and everlasting. And it is my sincerest hope and belief that is what my daughter and Marquise will have."

Damien smiled at them both.

"Now if you will all bow your heads in prayer," Damien instructed.

"Gracious God, spirit of life and love, we ask all blessings upon Groom and Bride in their life together. May they be blessed with patience, to see them through times of tensions or conflict. May they be blessed with kindness, to enable them to nurture and care for one another in times of pain or sorrow. In your name Heavenly Father. Amen!" He prayed.

"Amen!" The crowd replied.

"Now I believe the bride and groom have written vows for each other and would like to recite them. Your Highness, since it is customary for the future Monarch to speak first, you may recite your vows first." Damien said to him.

"Gee thanks!" Marquise replied.

"You're welcome, son."

Marquise shook his head at Damien before looking at Shanelle. He took her shaking hands in his.

"I will be the first to tell the world that I don't deserve you. Because to be quite honest, I don't. I don't deserve someone as beautiful and pure as you at all. But Cordonia does. You will be the first Queen since my mother to make a mark on this world and not just our kingdom. Shanelle...from the moment we met, I knew you were the one for me. Hell, I knew it before then. I fell head over heels in love with your mind, your determination, your heart, your spirit, your tenacity, your smile, your wicked sense of humor, and especially your abundance of love. You are standing here and are willingly taking a chance on love and me. And I want you to know that you are everything in the entire world to me."

Marquise took a deep breath before continuing.

"I don't mean to put you on the spot but I need to ask you a question."

"Okay?"

"I need to know, do you trust me?" he asked.

"Of course, I trust you," she replied.

"Phew! Okay, good. Because had you said no I would've keeled over."

The crowd laughed.

"Why?" she asks him.

"I asked because I do want you to marry me. Desperately. But I don't want you to marry me because of some convoluted sense of duty and honor to the Crown or the Kingdom. I don't even want you to marry me because you love me. And I certainly don't want you to marry me because of some goddamn betrothal agreement that our fathers and your uncle orchestrated and stuck us with." he replied.

Shanelle snorted.

"I want you to marry me because you trust me. I want you to marry me because you trust me with your heart, your life, your safety, and your love. I want you to marry me because you trust me to honor, to have and to hold, to cherish, to adore, to be devoted, to nurture, to protect, to defend, and because I will lay down my life for you. I want you to marry me because you trust me to love you the way you need to be loved, the way you deserve to be loved. I want you to marry me because you trust me to always make you smile and to always put you first, and always choose you and only you. Even if you choose never to love me in return for another day of your life, I want you to trust me to always love you. No matter what."

Marquise swallowed the lump in his throat.

"As I end my vows to you, I want to sing one of your favorite Musiq Soulchild songs. Bear with me."

Marquise cleared his throat before he began to sing.

Love.

So many things I've got to tell you.

But I'm afraid I don't know how.

'Cause, there's a possibility.

You'll look at me differently.

Love.

Ever since the first moment I spoke your name.

From then on I knew that by you being in my life.

Things were destined to change cause.

Love.

So many people use your name in vain.

Love.

Those who have faith in you sometimes go astray.

Love.

Through all the ups and downs the joy and hurt.

Love.

For better or worse I still will choose you first.

Many days I've longed for you.

Wanting you.

Hoping for the chance to get to know you.

Longing for your kiss.

For your touch, for your essence (your beautiful essence).

Many nights I've cried from the things you do.

Felt like I could die from the thought of losing you.

I know that you're real.

With no doubt or no fears. Or no questions.

Love.

So many people use your name in vain.

Love.

Those who have faith in you sometimes go astray.

Love.

Through all the ups and downs the joy and hurt.

Love.

For better or worse I still will choose you first.

At first, you didn't mean that much to me.

But now I know that you're all I need.

The world looks so brand new to me.

Now that I found love.

Every day I live for you.

And everything that I do I do it for you.

What I say is how I feel so believe it's true.

You got to know I'm true.

Marquise closed his eyes as he squeezed her hands.

"I want you to marry me because you trust me when I say the following: Shanelle I love you today. I will love you tomorrow. And I swear to you with God and my Mother as my witnesses and God can strike me dead if ever I lie about this. I want you to marry me because you trust me when I say that I will love you until I am no more."

Damien nodded.

"Beautiful. Truly beautiful. Now, baby girl, you may recite your vows."

Shanelle was stunned. She was also thankful that her makeup is waterproof.

"How the hell am I supposed to top that?!" she asked with tears in her eyes.

Damien shrugged.

"I don't know but good luck," he replied.

Shanelle looked at Marquise and shook her head.

"I hate you so much right now." she sneered.

He chuckled.

"Je t'aime Aussi, mon amour."

Shanelle rolled her eyes with a smile before she began to recite her vows to him.

"I'm not very good at speeches, but I'm here now. You always talk about how I changed you. But you changed me. You made me who I am today and knowing you has been the best part of waking up every day. I..."

Shanelle took a deep breath.

"All my life I've been searching for an answer as to where I belong. I was always searching for the love I always needed. The love I always deserved. The love I always wanted. Then I met you and everything changed. You treated me like I deserved to be treated. You have loved me unconditionally and made me feel like I had finally found a home. I don't want to lose that. I don't ever want to lose you. You are the single greatest thing to ever happen to me. To know that in just a few short moments, you will officially be my Husband and more importantly, My King...I couldn't have asked for a more perfect blessing."

Shanelle closed her eyes to stop the tears from falling. Marquise rubbed her knuckles in an attempt to soothe her.

"You see? That right there is how I know I made the right choice when you asked me to marry you. You are known for your grand gestures of love. But it's the small ones that made me fall in love with you. When I felt lost, confused, and alone, you wrapped your arms around me and swore to me that as long as I had you, I would never be alone."

Marquise smiled at her with tears in his eyes.

"You said that you want me to marry you because I trust you. I trust you because I love you. Because I need you. Because I deserve you. My heart was made for you. You have shown me what true love is and what it is always supposed to be. I trust you to always lay the world at my feet. I trust you to kiss the ground I walk on as I walk."

"Oh I will!" he replied.

The crowd laughed.

"But mostly I trust you to always be there to help me stand. I trust you to be my life partner as we walk this crazy path we call life."

Shanelle took a deep breath.

"I am reminded of a song lyric by Mary J. Blige."

Shanelle cleared her throat.

"You are mine. I told you before. I wouldn't lie. I need you and more. Gotta stay with you. I am safe with you. Let me repeat it in case you forgot. Love is a mountain and we're at the top. Yeah, you're my breath and strength. 'Cause I see the future in your eyes."

Marquise shook his head with a smile.

"I love you so much. Here's to the start of our life and adventure together as one."

He grinned.

"And you wondered how you could top what I said."

Everyone chuckled.

"Thank you, baby girl. Now we can get to the good part. And I'm not talking about the food."

Everyone laughed as Damien looked at Marquise.

"Marquise, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer, 'til death do you both part, for as long as you both shall live?" Damien asks.

"I do forevermore," Marquise replies.

Damien turned to Shanelle.

"Baby girl, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer, 'til death do you part for as long as you both shall live? And just so you it's okay to say no and run for the hills." Damien asks.

Shanelle rolled her eyes at her father.

"Worth a shot."

"I do forevermore," Shanelle replies.

"Now if we can have the rings."

Shantel stepped up and handed Shanelle her ring while Margo handed Marquise his.

"Marquise, repeat after me, I give this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you. I give you this ring in God's name, as a symbol of all that we have promised and all that we shall share. I give you this ring as a visible and constant symbol of my promise to be with you as long as I live." Damien instructed.

"Shanelle, I give this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you. I give you this ring in God's name, as a symbol of all that we have promised and all that we shall share. I give you this ring as a visible and constant symbol of my promise to be with you as long as I live." Marquise recited as he slipped the diamond wedding band on her ring finger.

Damien nodded before turning to Shanelle.

"Shanelle, repeat after me, I give this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you. I give you this ring in God's name, as a symbol of all that we have promised and all that we shall share. I give you this ring as a visible and constant symbol of my promise to be with you as long as I live." Damien instructed.

"Marquise, I give this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you. I give you this ring in God's name, as a symbol of all that we have promised and all that we shall share. I give you this ring as a visible and constant symbol of my promise to be with you as long as I live." She recited before she put the diamond wedding band on his ring finger.

"Let the exchanging of these wedding rings solidify your commitment to one another in the eyes of The Lord. And now...in the name of the Son, The Father and The Holy Ghost...I now pronounce you husband and wife. And as much as it pains me to say this: Marquise, you may now...kiss your bride."

"Finally!" Shanelle said.

"You might wanna close your eyes...dad," Marquise says to her dad.

Marquise grabbed her and planted her with a deeply searing kiss. Much to Damien's visible disgust.

"Need I remind you two that you're in a church?" Damien asks.

They ignored him. When their kiss finally ended, Marquise had a wide grin on his face.

"I thank God for you, My Queen."

"Likewise…My King."

Damien cursed under his breath.

When they turned to face the crowd, Shantel was joined by Margo at the altar to formally announce them.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of my husband and our family and The Royal Family," Shantel said as she addressed the gathered crowd.

"It is our esteemed honor to introduce to you: Mr. and Mrs. Marquise Constantine Rys, The New King and Queen Of Cordonia!" Margo announced.

"Did they have to?" Marquise whispered.

"Just go with it," Shanelle replied.

When Shanelle looked out into the crowd she saw her uncle with a disgusted look on his face that matched Connie's.

"Well, safe to say the former Kings are mad," she whispered to Marquise.

"That's their problem. Not ours," he whispered back.

"Hey," she said to him.

"Hmm?" he replied.

She captured his lips in a sweet kiss. When the kiss ended both had smiles on their faces.

"Long live Cordonia's new King," she whispered to him.

He kissed her softly.

"All hail my Queen," he whispered to her.

"Together we shall reign!" they said together.

0 notes

julesthoughts · 2 years ago

Text

Trap of Lies

Chapter 21

This is a dark AU collaboration started by @x3kristax3. You can find the other chapters here.

TW: Mentioning of Torture and Violence

MC POV

After ages, I was finally able to persuade Alan to leave his house. Of course, only with him, alone he would never let me go. His proximity drove me insane, and his constant advances got on my nerves. I kept telling him that I wasn't ready because of what had happened. He showed understanding, but still, it didn't stop him from trying again and again. It's been two weeks since I left Jake and honestly, I was hoping to get back to him as soon as possible. Back in his warm arms, look into his soft eyes and feel his soft lips on mine.

I shook my head slightly to break the train of thought. I couldn't think about Jake that much now, he was my weakness and weakness wasn't allowed right now. We went to the flower stand and as I was looking around, my favorite flowers caught my eye. I took a bundle and smelled them, a lump forming in my throat immediately. The memory of Jake watching me here back then came flooding back. He was a stranger and yet I felt drawn to him in a way. The corners of my mouth twitched up briefly, but I immediately put my face back to normal.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and put the flowers back as Alan wasn't going to buy them for me anyway. Alan had his back to me, and he was talking to someone, but I couldn't see who it was as he was completely hidden by Alan. I wanted to take a closer look, but suddenly I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I could already guess who it was, but I turned around to confirm my suspicion. In front of me was a red-haired beauty and I saw relief on her face. I put my arms around her, and she hugged me tightly to make sure I was really in front of her. I heard her sigh joyfully. The last time we saw each other was before I was kidnapped and held captive.

I wanted to detach myself from the hug, but Jessy wouldn't allow it. "MC, Jake told us everything. Everything. Would you explain to me why you are with him?” She whispered in my ear. The way she pronounced the word him sent chills down my spine.

I leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "I know what I have to do. Please be on standby, Jessy. You're the only one I trust completely." She loosened her grip, and I broke the hug. She put her hands on my cheeks and wiped my tears from my face with her thumbs. I didn't even realize that I started to cry. She gave me a compassionate smile.

"You can't let him see you cry. You can do it, I'll always have your back. You are so incredibly strong.” She took my hand while saying this.

Jessy looked so innocent and sweet, but when it came to her loved ones, she knew no bounds. When she cast her eyes on Alan, I saw pure hatred blazing in her irises. She hated this man like no other person in this world. I knew she would do anything to help me, and I was beyond grateful for that.

"Listen, I'll try to persuade him that I can meet you. I miss you and I could really use a girls day,” I sighed.

She knew that when I said girls' day, I didn't mean a normal girls' day. We wanted to catch up. I saw that Alan had finished his conversation and was approaching us. He put his arm around my waist. "Hello Jessica," he said cold as a stone.

Jessy rolled her eyes and I spoke to Alan, "Alan, I'd like to go with Jessy. She's on her way home and I haven't had a chance to meet her. I'd just like to have some girl time with her."

He took my chin in his fingers and looked deep into my eyes, scanning me. I sighed softly and my eyes softened, getting the answer I wanted. "Only if you promise to come back. I'm worried, you're not fully recovered."

He drove me crazy with his care. It was his fault that I felt so bad. Take a deep breath, MC! You have to pull yourself together if you want to reach your goal and get back to Jake. Since getting back together with Alan I've had serious problems controlling my temper. Knowing that I was pretending to love the man who put me through all the torture made me frustrated.

"Don't worry, I'm feeling pretty good today and besides, Jessy is with me,” I said shortly. I just couldn't speak long sentences with this man without losing my temper.

Out of the blue he took my face in his hands and kissed me firmly but sweetly on my lips. I kissed him back, I had to keep up my acting. I wanted this kiss to end, but Alan let the kiss deepen. What was the matter with him? I opened my eyes and saw that he was looking to the right. I followed his gaze and my heart shattered into a million pieces.

Jake stood there and his eyes were on us. He didn't even grimace, but there was pure pain in his eyes. His eyes made my heart clench painfully. Alan was really enjoying Jake's suffering and I broke the kiss abruptly. Alan glared at me, but I smiled sheepishly, "Alan, you know I'm not that fond of kissing in public." That was the truth, Jake respected my opinion and wouldn't kiss me in public.

Alan stroked my cheek, "Sorry, my feelings for you took over for a moment."

Fucking liar. I didn't understand what that was about, did he want to see Jake suffer? He didn't seem to realize I saw Jake and I took advantage of that. I kept acting the innocent woman in love with Alan. I said goodbye to Alan and when I turned around, I saw Jessy buying some flowers. She gave me a bunch of my favorite flowers and my eyes shone with joy, "Oh Jessy, that wasn't necessary. Thank you!"

On the way to the carriage, I saw Jake walking towards my father's trade business with his head bowed. He avoided my eye contact, and it broke my heart. I had broken his heart in the worst possible way. I began to have doubts as to whether he would even want me back once I had achieved my goal.

As we got into the carriage my lips started to tremble, Jessy already noticed from the outside of the carriage that I was watching Jake. She put her arm around me, and I let my head rest on her shoulder, exhausted.

"So, I'm waiting for an explanation. I know you know he was behind it all. Why are you with him?" She asked when the carriage took off.

I sighed shakily and tilted my head back. "You're right. I know it and I hate his every touch. Every time his lips touch mine it sends a shiver down my spine. But I have to go through this if I'm going to have a quiet life with Jake.” I pulled the ring out of my corset and held it in my hand, my eyes shining as I looked at it. “The question is if he even wants me back.” I spoke my thoughts out loud.

"Oh, my love, you still love him?” she asked happily. "Everyone thinks you don't love him anymore, including him. He needs to know that!"

"No!" I protested heatedly. "He mustn't be involved, do you hear me? And earlier he walked in the direction of my father's business. Something tells me that my father is helping him on the right path.”

Jessy shook her head, "Don't you want to give him at least a glimmer of hope?" She bit her lip, and I could tell immediately that she was holding back something. I ignored it.

"He doesn't need that, if I judge my parents correctly, they will have already given him hope. And if my assumption is right and my father really helps him to get back on the right path, then it would be more than wrong to involve him in it,” I said while bringing my head back to a normal position and avoiding Jessy's gaze.

I hid the ring again and let out a bitter sigh. What did I do in my previous life that my current life is such a mess? I treated the ring like a religious artifact. A talisman. A lucky charm.

Jessy watched me and she realized, "He doesn't fully trust you yet, does he?”

"No, I can tell by his behavior. He still checks me everywhere and I wouldn't be surprised if he even sent someone to check if I'm really going with you. So, you know if we get to you soon, then there will be acting!"

She started giggling and I joined in, after a while the carriage stopped, and we got out. Arm in arm we walked into the house, giggling. As soon as the door slammed shut, our giggles stopped, and we got serious. She took me in her arms again and let out a soft sob, I stroked her back soothingly.

"He stopped by our place," she said softly, resting her chin on my shoulder. "He doesn't think you don't love him anymore. He thinks he can't give you the life you deserve and that's why you left him."

That was the coup de grace for me. Jake was more than hurt, he really thought he wasn't enough for me. All my dams broke, and I burst into bitter tears. I clawed Jessy's back and she pressed me even tighter in a reassuring way.

"He only thinks that because I told him Alan could offer me a better life. Oh god what have I done! For a short time, I was disappointed in him for hiding this dark secret from me. I'm no better if he knew what kind of secret I was carrying."

"Hush. Calm down for now, ok? I'm here and we can talk, ok?” She held me in her arms while I shed my tears. She started rocking us back and forth and at some point, I giggled because I felt a bit silly. She pulled away from me and took my shoulders in her delicate hands, "You are such a strong woman! I don't even know how you stand it all. You've already been kidnapped twice and each time a man was a reason. Your father was the reason for your first kidnapping, and Jake was the reason for your second. I hope there isn't a third party!"

I had to giggle even though it wasn't funny at all. She was right, somehow men put me in danger. She looked at me in shock, probably because I was giggling. Shortly thereafter, I lost myself in thoughts about my first kidnapping. The memories flooded me like a giant wave.

"Ok, I see. Let's sit down and you tell me everything. Did you ever talk about your first kidnapping?"

"No, never. I don't want to burden anyone with this,” I answered quietly.

"Come on, tell me. I'm listening, you know we've been through a lot." She took my hands in hers and her face was so open, it was enough for me to burst out.

"I was kidnapped at night. They somehow managed to break into our house, I wanted to scream, but they immediately stuffed a rag in my mouth. I didn't stop thrashing around. At some point it was enough for one of the kidnappers and he hit me on the head with something, so I lost consciousness.”

Jessy squeezed my hands tightly, which gave me some support. I continued, "I woke up tied to a chair and they told me that my father had some kind of debt. They must have left a threatening letter offering an exchange. My father pays the debt and gets me back in exchange. They wouldn't tell me what kind of debt he had, but I didn't believe them either. They tortured me and kept sending my parents small gifts.”

"Gifts?" Jessy asked unsuspectingly.

"Not normal gifts. It started quite harmlessly at first, they just pulled my hair out and brought it to my parents. At some point they removed one of my fingernails and brought it to my parents. They always brought these little gifts at night and displayed them on their doorstep. I mean, how nice can a morning start for parents when they find their daughter's fingernail nicely wrapped on their doorstep? At some point they cut off my scalp like a slice of cheese and sent it to my parents, I got a scar from it.”

I turned my back to Jessy and lifted my hair on the right and showed her the bald spot with the scar. Hair never grew back there. She gasped and was shocked she had never noticed.

"Jessy, how are you supposed to notice? I usually wear my hair down and if I have a different hairstyle, I cover it up."

She nodded glumly, "What happened when they did that?"

"Nothing at first, they also tortured me like that, just for fun. Mostly psychological, they held a knife to my neck and threatened to kill me, enjoying the fear in my eyes. But it was always just empty threats, but I didn't understand that at the time, and I was terribly afraid afterwards.”

"This is so horrible, how long were you trapped there and how did you get free?" She asked as she wrapped her arm around my shoulders and hugged me tightly.

"Five days and the debt has never been paid as my father personally released me. At that time, he came into my room completely out of breath and freed me from my bonds. He was different. I don't know how to describe it, Jessy."

"How different do you mean? Hey you're shaking, calm down. Don't rush, take your time.”

After ten minutes I stopped shaking and stared at the opposite wall. "My father... His eyes were so dark and so empty. At the same time, I saw relief on his face when he saw me. None of the men who tortured me were anywhere to be seen. My father got me home as fast as he could. He didn't answer any of my questions and just told me everything was fine. I was treated by a doctor and for days I kept asking my father what his debts were.”

“What did he say?” Jessy asked, concerned.

"He said they lied, he never had any debts, and it was just unhappy customers."

"And you believed him?"

"No, but I never asked again as he would never tell me the truth."

"It seems everyone has some dark secrets, even the two of us," giggled Jessy.

“White Night,” I whispered, reminiscing.

"Mhm, exactly. I have to say I miss our time there at times, but I would never trade my life now for that life.”

"If Jake found out I worked for a secret service that takes people down. Oh saint.”

"But then he would understand why it was so easy for you to leave him. We've been trained to ignore other people's feelings for just such missions.”

"I know it's not usually difficult for me, but Jake is the first man that has truly won my heart and made me weak."

"That's how I felt with Walter at the time. The love for him was stronger than my will to stay in this service."

I saw how Jessy closed her eyes, I did the same. We put ourselves back to that time, I will never forget the time back then, especially because that's where I met Jessy for the first time.

.......................................

Once again, we took down a criminal, it's always been like that here. A sleazy asshole who presented himself as a good businessman but only exploited the poor and stole even more. We only ever brought down those who did evil.

Here we were in our hiding place, a shabby wooden hut in the woods. As we planned how to take down the next one, there were a few reports again that someone was torturing the poor people because they couldn't pay their bills on time. I always got angry when I heard stuff like that. People already had nothing and worked hard just to afford enough food and then there comes this rich bastard who can afford anything and tortures these poor people.

Jessy and I were assigned to track him down and bring him to our hiding place. The boss wanted to take care of him personally, so there was probably something private involved. In the evening Jessy and I found each other in a bar. The whole time we were looking for the man, Jessy kept looking at a brown-haired man who looked back at her. After a while I pretended to leave earlier. I nodded to her where he was sitting, and she swung her hips and sat down next to him. Jessy has always attracted everyone's attention and so we decided that she should seduce him.

I was standing around the corner when I heard Jessy's voice and a strange male voice, I knew that my mission had come. I came out of hiding and hit him on the back of the head with a rock, not too hard. Just so he lost consciousness. The boss gave us a carriage that we could use to transport him. We put him on the back seat of the carriage, and we sat down in front and set off. When we got to our hideout, we dragged him into the cabin and took him to the room our boss had asked us to use.

He sent us out, he wanted to do it alone. I didn't ask any questions, but before long we heard bitter cries of pain. He tortured him, something must have happened between the two personally. Jessy was sitting in another room, I went to her and saw her staring at the wall, lost in thought.

I sat down next to her and asked, "What do you think he's doing to him?"

She shrugged, "I don't know, but I don't care." At first, I thought she was mad because she wasn't allowed to be there, but I saw that she had a small smile on her face.

"It's the brownie from the bar, isn't it? I saw your looks, my dear."

She put her hand over my mouth, her eyes wide, "Hush!" I understood, I got up and closed the door. I sat down next to her, and we whispered despite the door being closed. Love was not allowed in this service as it made you weak. You had to be able to think neutrally and not be influenced by love.

She began to relate, "I bumped into him in the market. I almost threw his bread down but was able to catch it. I apologized a hundred times, but he kept saying it was ok. He was so nice and so understanding. We met again and again at the market, I noted his times when he went to the market and at some point, he bought me a bouquet of flowers. That's when I knew that he too was coming to the market regularly at the same time on purpose. Well, tonight in the bar, that was him. I just couldn't take my eyes off him, not only because he's handsome, but also because I just can't get him out of my head. The meetings in the market were like little dates, I would like to give it a chance, but as long as we are in this service it doesn't work, and I don't want to leave you alone.”

"Jessy, you know I follow you everywhere," my voice got even quieter. "When do you want to leave here?"

She looked at me with big grateful eyes, "You would really take that risk for me?"

"Of course, Jessy. You're my best friend and I didn't intend to spend the rest of my life here either." I took her hands in mine and squeezed them lightly to show her my support.

"Tonight? Let's leave the White Night tonight,” Jessy said.

“Deal,” I said smiling. It was decided. Tonight, we will leave the White Night service. Since it was hunting time again at the moment, we didn't come home. We all slept here, and I hated lying to everything and everyone at home. Once a year we are trapped here for two weeks, and we bring down one by one.

We went to sleep and waited for the boss to go to sleep. We had already packed our things and when it was quiet in the hut, we got up quietly. We snuck out of the bedroom and tiptoed to the front door. We heard heavy footsteps, and we knew immediately who it was. I held my index finger to my lips to tell Jessy not to give a peep. We hugged the wall as tightly as we could and held our breath. My heartbeat quickened as the footsteps stopped in front of the open door. Luckily for us, there was another pillar on the wall so he couldn't see us.

The steps came closer, and he murmured, "The door is usually always closed. Hello?"

I closed my eyes and cursed myself. How could I forget to close the door? He walked into the door frame and grabbed the doorknob and closed the door. When the footsteps became quieter, we breathed a sigh of relief and left the hut as quickly as possible.

We ran through the woods in the middle of the night until we got to town. Jessy was so happy that she turned several times in circles with outstretched arms and cheered, "So this is what freedom feels like!"

I giggled and joined in her joy, and we held hands and twirled each other in circles. We celebrated our newfound freedom. My heart did a little jump of joy. I just couldn't stop smiling. Jessy laughed and took my shoulders in her hands, "You will be my maid of honor if we should work out!"

I smiled and I nodded happily like a little kid, "Oh Jessy, I would love to do that!"

We made our way home, it was early in the morning when we got home. Jessy went to her house and I to mine. When I entered our house, I heard my parents in the kitchen, they were eating breakfast. Their conversation ended when the door slammed behind me. Immediately, the kitchen door sprang open, and my mother hugged me tightly. I told them what had happened, and I saw relief but also concern on their faces. It might not have been the best idea to just flee.

……………...........................

Jessy and I came back to the present and we started laughing, but concern graced her face. She looked at me questioningly, "I'm surprised the boss never looked for us." I bit my lip and immediately her eyes almost popped out, "Wait! You know something I don't know about!"

"Damn it," I sighed. "I met the boss in town a month ago."

"What?!" She exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me that?"

"I'm sorry, I was so stunned by what he said to me that I had to process it myself and then all things happened." I hung my head and was terrified that Jessy would be mad at me.

She lifted my head by taking it in her fingers, "Then tell me now."

"He babbled and told me that he had a wife with a child at home. He immediately regretted it when he saw my victorious smile on my lips. I threatened him that if he hurts us or anyone, we are close by a hair, the rest of the service will find out about his little secret. He said he has his eyes everywhere, but he trusts us because we haven't told anyone about it either. At least that's what he thinks. He doesn't know that my parents know or Walter.”

"And it should stay that way.”

"But I swore to myself I'd tell Jake, he deserved it,” I said agonized.

"If you want to tell him I'll have your back, ok? Once again you made sure that I can lead a normal life."

“I'm so glad you joined this goddamn service, as soon as I saw you, I knew I wanted to be friends with you,” I confessed.

She then just took me in her arms. Jessy loved hugs, but I had no problem with that. I put my arms around her, and I giggled. I was happy again for the first time. But the thought of going back to Alan immediately made my joy vanish.

"Jessy, how far would you go for me to reach my goal?"

"Regarding Alan?"

I just nodded and looked at her.

"I would walk over corpses,” she said sternly. That was enough for me, no matter what I had in mind Jessy would help me.

Jessy winced when there was a knock on the door, "Oh crap! How could I forget that?"

"What did you forget?"

"Your parents wanted to come over. They wanted to see if I had heard or seen anything from you. I have a hunch they're going to bring-“ Jessy was interrupted by a voice that was all too familiar to me, "Jessy?"

"Jake," I whispered, shocked. Jessy motioned for me to be quiet as she walked towards the door. You couldn't see me from the front door.

She opened the door, "Jake, what are you doing here?"

"I'm supposed to bring this from Charles. He says it'll be later, he thinks we won't be able to until tonight.

“We?” Jessy asked confused.

“Yes, we. I'll come with them, I want to know everything too. Can't you tell me now if you've heard from MC?"

"Jake, this is not a good time. Please come back tonight."

"Jessy, you saw it today at the flower stand too! How they kissed. Or should I say how Alan kissed MC?"

"How may I understand that?" Jessy continued to act as if she didn't know anything.

Jake raised his voice, "Oh come on! Everyone there could see that she didn't want that kiss.”

Oh no!

#duskwood #duskwood fanfiction #fanfic #trap of lies #duskwood au #mc x jake #jake x mc #duskwood everbyte #duskwood jake x mc #duskwood mc #alternate universe #juleesiswriting

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mammons-best-boi · 3 years ago

Note

I really really love your works! Can you please do Lucifer and Mammon with prompt 23? Thanh you so much and have a nice day<333

23. "How do I make you love me again?"

Mammon had finally had enough.

Ever since his human had been sent back, he hadn't done anything but exist in his room, go down for meals, and go to RAD. But his brothers never stopped nagging and accusing and blaming him for everything that went missing! Even things that he'd never been blamed for before, like someone's food going missing.

That day, Lucifer finally found Mammon's breaking point.

"I can't believe you!" Lucifer yelled as he barged into Mammon's room, the door almost coming off of the hinges.

Disoriented, Mammon rolls over to face Lucifer, his skin sickly and alarmingly pale. But Lucifer takes no notice as he launches into berating Mammon.

"Those cufflinks were a gift from Barbatos! I can't believe that you would stoop so low as to take them! Though, I shouldn't be surprised. All scum like you think about is money."

"whatcha talkin bout?" Mammon slurs, his voice low and tired.

"Can you not even listen anymore?!" Lucifer growls and marches up to Mammon's bed and pulls him from it. "You are going to get back my cufflinks even if it forces you into a pact. Do you understand me!?"

"I didn't take your crummy things! I haven't left my room if you hadn't noticed!" Mammon yells in his own defense. "I haven't taken anything since Mc left! Don't believe me? Take a look!"

Mammon twists and shows Lucifer the mark of his sin, an angry red, almost visibly pulsing, and obviously infected and very painful.

Lucifer is shocked, almost flinching at the sight. No one's sin mark has ever gotten this bad before, at least, not that he knows of.

"This' what happens when I go 4 months without taking anything! But you all seem to think I've been taking everything in the house!" Mammon adjusts his pajamas and walks to the head of his bed.

"Do ya know how- Actually, nevermind. Ya wouldn't know. You never let anything damage that fucking pride of yours." He gets back into bed. "Leave me alone. I don't got any of your crud, so you can't punish me for nothing."

After this incident, Lucifer put Mammon under surveillance, but didn't tell the others why.

Mammon knew he was being watched, but didn't really care. They'd just find him sooner. Mammon knew that not indulging his sin even slightly would cause him to whither away, not that his brothers cared.

It took five days before Mammon missed a meal. Lucifer was notified and immediately left his meeting with a quick apology, and flew as fast as he could back to the HOL.

The others were eating like nothing was happening, and even though Lucifer knew that they didn't know it angered him to see that no one cared that Mammon was missing.

He ignored them as he walked as quickly as he could all the way to Mammon's room. He didn't even bother to knock before busting into the room.

The room smelled deceptively clean, even though it looked the part.

Lucifer dashed up the stairs, almost tripping in his haste to get to Mammon. Lucifer pulls him out of bed, startling Mammon.

"Fuck do you think I did now!" He yelps out as Lucifer grabs his shoulders, his grip harsh in his worry.

They stay there for a moment, Mammon confused and upset while Lucifer is relieved. Lucifer's the one to break the moment, pulling mammon into a tight hug.

Mammon starts tearing up. "At least we're also graced with a kind vision before we die too." He laughs emptily. "Never thought this would be the way I go."

Lucifer's shocked silent, watching his favorite brother come to terms with his own death. "You're not dieing, Mammon." He blurts out, unsure if he's trying to convince himself or just stating a fact.

"I hafta be. You'd never do this, at least not anymore. Ya hate me, have ever since we fell. At least before, you actually loved me." Mammon slowly shifts into his demon form as he talks.

His wings are tatered and full of little holes, the base looked like it was trying to sprout little white feathers again.

"I do love you, Mammon!" Lucifer cries into Mammon's shoulder, knowing that Mammon's in danger of dieing. "How can I make you love me again?" Lucifer practically begs, misunderstanding.

Mammon laughs coldly. "That's the thing Luci, I never stopped."

Mammon's sin mark bursts and his wings catch fire, burning a holy white that Lucifer hadn't seen in eons.

The others burst in, feeling the blast of holy magic.

Lucifer is forced away from Mammon as the holy fire engulfs him, burning away his horns and pacts.

Diavolo arrives just in time to see a blast of holy light come from Mammon's room and a beam of light shine directly through the roof above it.

Diavolo dashes into the HOL and up to Mammon's room, only to come to a screeching halt in the doorway.

Mammon's body, partly transformed back into an angel, lay on his bed, a small halo rested, leaning against his head, as blood seeped from the wounds where his horns used to be. His wings partially covered in brilliant white feathers that gave way to torn and bleeding wings.

Diavolo quickly observed the rest of the room, seeing the remaining brothers in various states of shock and anguish. He let his demon for drop when his eyes landed on the sobbing Lucifer.

He knew that there would have to be consequences, but he could comfort his friend first.

#obey me #obey me shall we date #obey me lucifer #obey me!#obey me mammon #mammon angst #lucifer angst #mammon dies #death cw #cw depression

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perhaps-in-anotherdream · 4 years ago

Text

..."STAR-CROSSED LOVERS"??? YES.

Thank you so much @cheri-translates for translating Victor's SAND AND SEA DATE. You're an angel. 🥺🥺🥺

Now I'm gonna start blabbering since I've many feels about this date LOL~ 🙃

⚠️Warning: There are some spoilers regarding Victor storyline from the main story chapters that haven't been released in EN yet.

🌹

From "I won't save you a second time" [CH 1] to "I don’t need you to save me a second time." [The date in discussion]-- LOL as hilarious as this is, the irony.💯

Ngl this date felt like, the writers thinking since, under the context of the theme, the physical pain of time travel & crossing countless of dimensions & timelines is not possible-- let's just nearly kill him by spilling blood & dehydration but still we gotta nearly kill this man cause he wants to be in love.🙃

Idk why I'm getting so emotional LOL but there are so many call-backs I can remember on top of my head right now--

[The lines & moments from the date are indented & in bold letters.]

MC: "Victor, I’m helping you look for a water source. Let go!"

🌹 The sad broken cup scene from [CH 18-16], MC urging Victor to let go & him stubbornly refusing, until she gives in.

MC sacrificing herself to revive the river, part of it is to save Victor- other part of it is also for the greater good of the people in the city.

🌹 [CH 18-18] MC's monologue- "This time, put everything on my shoulder & let me be your hero one last time."

& sacrificing herself for the peace of the world even though it only made more chaos.

Victor releasing the hand that supported him at the edge & deciding to sacrifice himself with her. & the vow- "No matter what awaits you, I’ll be with you."

MC's monologue: "It turns out that no matter what the ending is, he’s willing to be with me."

[CH 18-28] Victor deciding to use the sundial watch one last time despite knowing that'd kill him for sure & might lead the world to perish as well. Dummy & Selfish in that moment. His final vow before MC disappeared, "No matter where you are, I'll always find you."

[CH 19-6 Dream World Victor route]

MC: "What if this really is a dream. Then what?"

Victor: "Then I'll turn it into reality."

[CH 25 phone call- In the Hospital]

"No matter what you are facing in other space-times...Wait for me."

[CH 36-10, after Victor returns from his 10K years time travel]

Victor: I thought you are never going to be afraid again?

His warm breath moistens my eyes. I inhale through my sore nose. Resisting the urge to bury my face in his chest, I look up, staring straight into his eyes-

MC: I will never be afraid again. Because you really came back. Victor is standing here before me like a treasure once lost and now found. What do I have to be afraid of?

Victor is stunned for a moment. The corners of his lips loosens a bit, while the contours of his face softened a lot. He raises his hand to wipe the wetness from the corner of my eyes.

Victor: It seems that this dummy has grown up a lot during this period. Listen carefully, I will never return to a world where you are not.

[CH 37 PV line]

"Whatever choice you make, I'll always be here."

[CH 37 karma by-line]

"I will accompany you on the road leading to the future."--

Basically the eternal insistence of him having an internal MC GPS tracker LOL ALWAYS being by her side.

Kidnapping incident.

🌹...[CH 30-7 to 30-10] Agio Street underground gambling den mission- wants to say a hello.🙋‍♀️

Abandoning the honor & glory of leading a comfortable life as a feudal lord to restore the river & to find the fateful couple, probably hoping to find his love too, but won't admit cause even if it's AU, he be like- "I'm still Victor" LOL

[CH 11 karma by-line]

"I won't let go of you & the world."

The physically-mentally painful exhausting wait & time travelling of 10K years, walking through endless dimensions & timelines, only to start from the very beginning every single time- hoping to find a way to save the world & protect the girl-- wants to say a hello too 🙋‍♀️

MC's monologue: Still, I want to have one more look at Victor… before leaving.

🌹 This specifically reminded me of a [CH 37-5 Victor split route] monologue from MC--

"It didn't matter what was waiting for me. I would face it with my head held high. Even so, I still wanted one last second...just one second. Let me call his name one more time...let me take a good look at him...just one last time..."

Victor: In that case, stay here. Stay by my side.

🌹 He has said the same sentence in different ways under various circumstances but one I can remember right now,

[CH 24-12 Black Cabin reunion]-- "But right now...Just stay by my side."

MC noting down how she always finds herself in his arms whenever she's fainting or getting in trouble. How Victor has been quietly taking care of her & protecting her. How the person before her walks in steady steps with forceful heartbeats.

When she was in her most depressing state [CH 18], he was there like the steady pillar of support, helping her in every way he could. He was pretty much the glue that kept her in one piece.

Again, in winter world, he stood by her side even as a stranger.

Not just these two incident, throughout the entire game, especially in the latter part of the story, they work together like partners, she learns to trust him with pretty much everything & they work through everything they can together.

Those few mentions in the date-- could be referred to how Victor has always been the constant source of warmth, encouragement, strength, support, protection in her life. No matter what world or when, he never really changes. He is still the same man. & His constant state IS choosing MC every single time.

Victor lies on the sand quietly, and it’s as though everything has returned to the beginning when we first met.

🌹 Indication towards how their storyline ALWAYS goes back to square one or comes in a full circle-- from Victor saving her from the car crash as a kid [& this being repeated many times afterwards, even in winter world], to the lightning incident [MC jumping in front of Victor both as a child & an adult], to both being in coma for week, staying in the hospital & taking care the entire time [MC in CH 11, Victor in CH 32], to stabbing each other countless times. [CH 18, CH 36-- & every other times Victor has seen those incidents happening before his eyes while time traveling.] *que tears*

🌹▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️🌹

I could possibly make a full blown essay which I already kinda have out of some other specific call-backs I can remember right now. Specifically the theme of the date being star-crossed lovers-

Legend tells of two lovers. Because of the pressures of their nations, they could not be together, and decided to drown themselves in a river for love.

Because of this, the River Goddess was enraged, and she cursed the land nourished by the river which was under her control. Since that day, the Socya River gradually dried up.

The Goddess left an exhortation-when the fateful couple reappears on this land, the river will be surge once again...

& This perfectly echoes the canon theme of Victor x MC storyline--

🌹 As in, Victor being someone who, objectively speaking, seemingly has everything & yet sacrificing practically everything--

[giving up over-seas university offers, staying in the city instead of moving abroad even though his business could be expanded more, relentless search of 17 years, appointing private detective for 6 years, building up Souvenir etc.]

--- to find MC & then in the mission of keeping her safe, even at the cost of his own existence. Trying everything beyond his limits to prevent the destined deaths of MC he has foreseen- from happening & it being doomed to no end every single time.

🌹 Every single time he had to give up the ONE thing he wanted to protect the most or wanted the most.

🌹 Both of them being so willing to put each other in the front line just to give each other happiness.

🌹 Another running theme of their storyline-- both of them keep losing each other countless times & then find each other again.

• Victor losing MC as a kid, finding her as an adult. Victor nearly losing her in CH 10.

• MC losing Victor due to the time rift in CH 14 & finding a way to contact each other through the sundial watch.

• Victor losing MC in CH 18 first-hand. MC leaving Victor behind in CH 19- dream world.

• CH 24 Black Cabin reunion & CH 27 OG timeline reunion

• MC nearly losing Victor in CH 32, due to him going to coma

• MC losing Victor in CH 34 due to Victor going on the time-travel journey of 10K years

• Final reunion in CH 36 [Then we have the journey to S2. But that's a whole new discussion.]

🌹So...both of them being able to truly be with each other is actually-- defying fate & writing their own destiny. *SOBS*

🌹I wanna end my blabbering with two precious moments from [CH 36- Victor split route] that echoes this theme even more.

MC: "I've always chased after your silhouette and I was never afraid. Because I know you'll always be there waiting for me. Victor, if you really disappear... I will be with you, and we will both be forgotten by the world."

MC's monologue: "Victor, once we have crossed countless dimensions and futures, and returned to each other’s embrace. If everything has to disappear with time, as dust into the wind... Then, I'm glad that we have our final promise."

[She's referring to the promise she made of being forgotten by the world to be with him & the promise Victor made earlier to never leave her again.]

#classic tragic love story at it's finest #yEs #mlqc victor #mldd victor #mr love victor #mlqc li zeyan #victor #li zeyan #mlqc zen #mlqc #mr love queen's choice #mlqc spoilers #mlqc cn

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lem-20 · 4 years ago

Text

Crashing down

Summary: A rewrite of Bk 1 Ch 13 on-call room chat with Bryce. Casey discusses what's got her stressing out and also her relationship with Ethan.

Pairing: Ethan x MC (Casey Valentine). Ethan doesn't appear in this fic, but the relationship is discussed with Bryce.

Warning: Mild sexual reference

Word Count: 950

A/N: I am currently rewriting and adding scenes from book one. I thought I would add this one in as I thought it was a nice opportunity to discuss the relationship with Ethan with another character. I have also been exploring what may happen if 2 of the LI's were aware of MC's relationship with the other. In my version of events Casey slept with Bryce after she kissed Ethan in Miami. Things happened to make each aware that something was going on with the other. (Read my previous 2 fics here and here)

Disclaimer: Characters and some dialogue owned by pixelberry.

Casey sat on a cot in one of the on-call rooms. Bryce sat alongside her, his arm draped around her shoulders. She had bumped into him a few moments before, as she walked frantically through the corridor, her thoughts threatening to overwhelm her.

"I can't stop thinking about...about everything. Poor Mrs Martinez and the investigation into her death...wondering if I'll still have a career at the end of the week...wondering if I even deserve one. Dr Banerji's diagnosis. Dr Ramsey quitting the hospital, being sabotaged at every turn...and now this sweet, sick kid I can't diagnose. I feel like everything is crashing down around me." She placed her head in her hands and let out a long sigh.

She had hoped that saying everything out loud would make her feel a little better. But hearing herself list everything just made her wonder how she had held it together for as long as she had.

"Why didn't you say anything?" He asked, concern etched across his features.

"Because good doctors can handle whatever's thrown at them. And I really want to be a good doctor."

"You're already a good doctor. Hell, you're the best medical intern in the hospital."

"Don't think I didn't notice you qualified that to just the medical interns."

"To be honest, you are better than most of the surgical interns too."

She leaned her head on Bryce's shoulder.

"I don't know if I can keep doing this. It's all too much. If Ethan Ramsey quit, what chance do I have?"

"Hey, you can do this." He squeezed her shoulder, encouraging her to look at him. His eyes were intense and earnest.

"It's wild to me that you don't realise how great you are." He gazed into her eyes and rubbed her cheek. "Casey, how can I make you feel better?"

The way he looked at her told her that she could ask pretty much anything of him in that moment. Yes, he was promiscuous, but he was also a kind and caring guy. He had a way of making her feel completely at ease around him. She knew from their previous encounters that he could leave her feeling physically satisfied at the very least. But, then she though of Ethan. Her feelings for him seemed to be getting stronger by the day. As much as their predicament left her frustrated, she felt that she was now beyond the point where she could engage in anything casual with someone else. Ethan was who she wanted and until she knew for certain there was no future for them, she was prepared to wait. She was sure of that now.

She pulled Bryce in for a tight hug. "I'm sorry, it was a moment of weakness."

He rubbed her back gently. "Hey, your moments of weakness are a hell of a lot tougher than most folks at their best. So keep your chin up okay."

She smiled as she enjoyed their embrace for a few more moments.

"Can I be honest with you? I've known you a while now. And I know you can handle pressure. I don't think that's what's got you so mixed up." He said as he leaned back to look at her.

"Then what has?"

"This isn't something new, its the same thing you've carried with you all along. Your doubt. I know people think I'm an arrogant jerk. But, I just know how to own my talent. You've never done that, you always justify why you're here. I think you don't feel like you're cut out for this. And you're so wrong." He smiled at her warmly.

"Thank you Bryce." She said, smiling back at him.

"Can I ask you something before we get back to work?"

"Sure." She replied

"Is something going on between you and Dr. Ramsey?" He eyed her cautiously, unsure if he was crossing a line.

Although she definitely didn't want whatever was going on between them to be public knowledge, she had always found it hard to lie if someone asked her a question directly.

She decided to tell him the truth.

"Umm...well, not really. I mean, we've kissed a couple of times. But we're not together or anything."

Even though it was he who brought up the subject, he still looked a little shocked by the revelation.

"Wow. I kinda pictured Ramsey as some sort of syborg who was incapable of human emotions and relationships." He chuckled.

She couldn't help but giggle. "Bryce! Honestly, you'd be surprised. He can be really...different sometimes." Her mood soon returned to being more serious.

"You've really got feelings for him haven't you?"

She nodded.

"And does he feel the same way?" He asked with intrigue.

"I think so, I don't really know. It's complicated." She laughed as she realised she had uttered the words she disliked hearing Ethan say.

"I don't know what's so funny, but it's nice to see you laughing." He looked sincerely happy to see her smiling.

"Do you think I'm stupid even thinking of getting involved with an attending?"

"Casey, the heart wants, what the heart wants. I don't think much can stand in the way if two people really want to be together. I just don't want to see you getting hurt though. Honestly, he'd be lucky to have you."

"You always manage to cheer me up Bryce. I hope you know how much a appreciate having a friend like you."

"Yeah, I am pretty great." He smirked.

She laughed at him. Although some people thought he was arrogant, she had nothing but affection for Bryce Lahela.

"You ready to face the world again?" He asked.

"Yeah, thanks to you." She replied, smiling at him. "Let's go."

☆☆

Thank you so much for reading 🥰

☆☆

Tags: @pixie88 @lifeaskim @queencarb @udishaman @lucy-268 @starrystarrytrouble @txemrn @ethanramseyyy @schnitzelbutterfingers @drariellevalentine @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Ethan

@aarisa-frost (I tagged you as there is talk of the relationship with Ethan. I hope that's okay)

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#open heart fanfiction #ethan ramsey x mc #choices open heart #ethan ramsey #bryce lahela #choices fic writers creations #fics of the week #ethan x mc

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curiousconch · 4 years ago

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The Moments in Between (Part 2)

Book/Pairing: Open Heart 2 / Rafael Aveiro x F!MC x Bryce Lahela

A/N: This is my shot at a love triangle, because I always found the book lacking in acknowledging the dynamics between the LIs as well as the impact to the chosen LI where others are interested in the MC. If you're reading this hoping for a full-on Bryce, my apologies, but you'll probably be disappointed. It’s supposed to be sprinkled with smut, but I ended up writing fluuuuuffff. If you haven't read Part 1, click here.

Music Inspo: Jealous by Nick Jonas

Raphael looked on while Casey giggled against Bryce's lips.

He knew Casey was just experimenting on her curiosity. She and Bryce had a sibling-like bond. But as he couldn't stop himself from averting his gaze, he thought of how Bryce hadn't been exactly discreet about his flirtations towards the same woman Raf has just declared his love a few weeks back.

This bucket list tour around Boston was simply meant to be one last ride of the gang together. But things took a really wild turn when Aurora decided to streak across the park, and now Casey's making out with someone else as he stood close by.

He never wished for something to be so unreal as this moment in his life.

His fists clenched, very much unnerved by the feel of this heaviness in his chest. He questioned himself, wanting so much to contradict the constricting pain he felt. It was as if he wasn't the one who gave Casey the go ahead anyway.

He was never one to feel possessive. Yet the knowledge of her being wrapped around someone's arms made him shiver.

His mind wondered - was this the way Casey felt every time she saw him with Sora a few months ago? Did she feel the the same stabbing pain when he held another's hand? Did her eyes almost shined with tears when she saw how his ex kissed him?

Raf tried his best to shake off the upsetting knots beginning to form in his stomach. But he just can't.

Well, Superman has finally found his Kryptonite, he thought.

The sound of Casey's approaching nervous laughter pulled him out of his reverie. She stepped towards him, and he struggled to paste a smirk on his face. It was futile, knowing very well how she can see right through his facade.

Looking down at his shoes, he shoved his hands inside the pockets of his jacket, suddenly conscious of all of their friends staring at him.

"Well, I won't be doing that again," she mumbled as she leaned close, so that he's the only one who can hear.

"Hmm..." Raf exhaled, careful not to let slip any hint of bitterness.

Her left brow raised at him questioningly, her arm looping around his, nevertheless.

Was I too obvious? His inner voice questioned.

Instead of saying that aloud, he shook his head lightly in response, intent to dismiss her doubts. It was more of an effort to dissipate his own insecurities before it imploded. He kissed her lightly on the forehead, while his thoughts waged a silent war with his emotions.

"Well, that's a wrap!" Kyra finally broke the uncomfortable silence, everyone else agreeing to call it a night. Relief then coursed through him.

After saying their respective good nights, their group began to disperse in separate directions.

He let his arms fall across Casey's shoulders, guiding her to the direction of his apartment. He wanted nothing more than to settle the conflicted feelings he had with an inconspicuous night cap - they originally planned to spend the night together, after all.

Peace was beginning to calm his heart, but it was cut short by a heavy hand on his shoulder. He immediately knew who it was.

He turned as Bryce looked at him intensely, his brows furrowed.

Raf looked at Casey, and as if reading his thoughts, untangled herself from him and walked a few steps ahead before stopping at a distance, certain she was out of earshot.

Once the two guys were alone, Raf crossed his arms and waited for Bryce to speak his piece.

"Look, I mean no disrespect. You know me, bro. I didn't think much of it, and that did not mean anything." Bryce spoke with an edge in his voice, rubbing the back of his head.

He hesitated, but invoking no reaction from Raf, he continued.

"Honestly, I was really interested in Casey before she shot me down every time I asked her out. It boggled me, man. I finally found out why when I saw how she looked at you, when we all had dinner together. I backed down and moved on ever since. I see her as nothing but a good friend, now."

Raf listened intently to Bryce's revelation. He thought back to the time before things actually started between him and Casey. Once upon a time, he stumbled upon them exchanging flirty remarks. He dismissed them as just part of his nature, a behavior he thought that Bryce commonly expressed to other girls around him.

Later on, he noticed that she was very close to him, but he attributed it as affection similar to that of siblings. He never entertained the possibility of how dangerously close she was snatched by someone else. It turns out he had more to process.

He finally mustered the strength to nod to Bryce, offering his hand. His friend took it, his posture finally relaxed. However, against Raf's better nature, he didn't say anything further.

Sensing his unease, Bryce took this as his queue to let go. With a friendly salute, he walked away, knowing that he's done his part.

Raf rubbed his temple, closing his eyes for a few moments as he wrestled with himself. He can't help being upset, uncertain as to how he should respond to these very foreign emotions rising within him. He struggled to accept the only possible reason of his unrest.

It was when Casey walked back to him, inquisitive of what just went down between the two guys. As she neared him, she immediately saw the creased lines of his forehead, the same expression he had earlier that evening.

She knew that facade, it was Rafael's contemplative frown.

His whole body jolted as arms wrapped around his waist from behind, breaking him out of his lost thoughts, the familiar scent immediately invading his senses.

"I thought brooding was Batman's thing?" muttered Casey with a playful voice, her head leaning on his back, her hands laced together. "Care to share the meaning of that frown on your face?"

This girl really knew him inside out.

Defeated, certain that Casey was giving him the chance to come clean, he pulled free from her embrace and spun her to face him. His thumb rubbing on her cheekbone, caressing her with so much gentleness, afraid he's going to break her.

He looked down at her, pausing for a few moments, then kissed her. His eyes shut close as he meditated the feel of her mouth crashing on his, her soft lips gifting him the same intoxication he always tasted every time he did this.

And as he broke the kiss, he leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes remained closed, lost in thought.

"Earth to Rafael..." her voice snapped him out of his own trance, an amused look stamped on her face as she gazed up at him, a single brow raised.

"I'm sorry, Casey." He sighed, pondering if he should express his innermost thoughts.

Is this love too fragile? Am I going to cross a line, steering them to a point of no return? Is it the right direction, wanting to let her know that he wanted so much to claim her for himself? They haven't been able to talk about that part yet, knowing that Casey's career is at a crossroads. It wasn't just the right time.

He can't ruin this, not again, he decided.

"I'm still trying to process this myself, I've been contemplating a lot of things in the past few days, and tonight seemed to push me to a tipping point," he resigned.

She cupped his face in her hands, knowing that the man she loved is currently buried in his conflicted feelings.

"It's okay, Raf," she assured him, hoping to quell the building guilt in her chest. "I'm sorry too, I didn't really think that through."

Aware of the mess that she's just made of things, she perceived how careless it was of her to choose to act on the mundane notion of kissing a brother. Well, a brother figure, at least. She thought of it as some kind of experiment, being caught up with the daring mood everyone else was in.

So selfish and so stupid, Casey, she thought, mentally punching herself.

She realized how Edenbrook closing impacted the status of their recently-renewed romance, only just fully-grasping how their relationship might now be hanging by a thread, with the possibility of her moving away from Boston.

She wondered if that's what Raf was thinking about earlier, when they were both standing in front of the hospital where they first met.

Sensing how Casey was now tormenting herself with what happened, he felt compelled to tell her his truth.

It's time I man up, bear my own weight in this relationship, he determined.

Not wanting to let go of his resolve, he took Casey's hands in his and began his admission.

"I never thought I would be this kind of guy," he whispered, breaking free from her own thoughts. "...but when I saw you and Bryce..." He paused, contemplating the best way to continue.

He sighed as he leaned against her, his head nestling against her shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her tightly, taking in the sweet scent of her hair.

"I know I said I love you, but I just can't help myself. I feel numb just thinking about how other people will hover around you, when I'm no longer near you." He brushed through his hair, conscious of the heaviness of his confession.

"You can call me obsessed, I know I might not have the right to be... " He faltered for a bit, but with a powerful shove of willpower, he continued, "So yes, I guess, I just got jealous."

"But I've spent a long time holding back, Casey." His current sentiments echoing the very same words he told her at the gala. "It's time I own up to it, because I know you deserve nothing less than 100% of me. So this is me, facing you, facing all of my feelings for you, even the bad."

He wondered if he should stop, but decided to conclude his speech with one last statement to make it clear.

"I guess it's just that I'm so crazy about you, how much loving you changed me. I'll never be the same person without you."

There, I said it, his mind exasperated, yet instantly relieved.

Casey was stunned, her eyes widened with surprise. It wasn't with Rafael's admission of jealousy though, it was in the acknowledgment of how worried he was about her leaving Boston. It is the vulnerability that this man in front of her willfully showed her, despite the uncertainty of their future.

It was his version of telling her: I don't want you out of my life.

In a moment of clarity, she was able to comprehend that Rafael's jealousy was not coming from a place of mistrust. It was his reassurance that he intended to stay beside her, no matter what was required of them. It didn't matter which path she chooses in her career. Whether she stays or she goes, he chooses to be with her.

It may mean braving a long-distance relationship, maybe something more. What's important was he's telling her loud and clear: he's in it for the long run.

And at that moment, she was certain she wanted exactly the same.

"Aha! So the Clark Kent gets jelly too..." she exclaimed, unable to restrain her chuckle.

He smiled despite himself. Give it to Casey to always lighten up the mood.

She gave him a light pat on his back, comforting Raf.

"Thank you for being honest. But it takes a lot more than jealousy to beat down the most stubborn person you've ever met!" she declared, sticking her tongue out as she released him from her embrace, gazing him.

Rafael can't help but laugh, grateful for how easily she figured out how to disspell the conflict between them.

She then pointed at the lamp post above them, apparently inviting him to a callback of perhaps one of the earliest fond memories they shared.

"My samba moves are a little rusty. Mind if you help me shake it off?" Casey's broad grin was infectiously bright, even in the dim light that surrounded them.

He took her hand, kissing her fingertips and twirled her once. He pulled her to him, letting his hands fall on her hips, as she leaned back against his chest.

"Don't mind if I do, my Lois."

And as their bodies swayed, all the worries sashayed away. For in that moment, they remembered that night they once danced in the streets, and the odds that they were able to overcome since then.

It's more than enough of an assurance that they will always find a way.

Their love will.

#rafael aveiro x mc #rafael aveiro #rafael x mc #bryce lahela x mc #bryce x mc #open heart #choices fanfiction #pixelberry #rafael aveiro fanfic #choices #playchoices

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umccall71 · 6 years ago

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Chapter 7

Characters:Prince Liam x (mc) Lady Saige

Rating:Mature Content includes profanity, sexual content,talks about depression.

Word Count:3027

Disclaimer: All characters used are sole property of Pixelberry. I am simply borrowing them for entertainment.

Summary:After a summer of a Lifetime Prince Liam thought he could have it all. He was carefree, free, and sharing time with the woman of his dreams. When life as easy a balancing act between love and duty, he realizes his truths are lies, wrong is right, and decisions do have consequences.Lady Saige never imagined she would be one of his consequences. When an act of utter horror throws her world into a tailspin.

Warning: This series contains subject matter of depression and hopelessness .The story may trigger certain individuals. Please be advised. If your reading this series you are acknowledging you are at least 18 +.